Would upgrading to 16gb ram fix performance? (Non gaming)

[Sqrly]

Hi everyone, thank you all for taking the time to help!

Problem: My laptop from 2011 has been slowing down/hanging and returning the problems/errors shown in these screenshots:

-Low on Memory Error
-Low on SSD Storage
-Task Manager Data

Usage: I mostly use my laptop for work and always have open one engineering program (matlab, ProE, cad etc), onenote, excel, pdfs, skype, and 50+ browser tabs. I do not really game much.

Specs:
Laptop Model: HP dv6t 6000 CTO
OS: Windows 7 64 bit
CPU: i7-2720QM
GPU: ATI 6770M
SSD: Crucial M4 128gb
RAM: 8gb PC3-10600 DDR3

Questions:
1) I was wondering if upgrading my RAM (possibly SSD too?) would noticeably improve my computer's performance, or should I consider upgrading my unused Core 2 Quad Q6600 desktop?

2) If I should upgrade my RAM, is this Gskill Ripjaws 16gb set good, or would you recommend another?

3) What other bottlenecks might be impeding the computer's performance?

Thanks again for the assistance!

 

[getochkn]

What is using your memory? 7.5gb is used by something. Task manager or resource manager should show.

SSD Storage, delete some stuff. No amount of RAM will fix how much stuff you have stored on the HD.

Will your laptop even handled 16GB Ram? A lot of them are limited in the amount of RAM they can access, as will the version of Windows you are using.

 

[Sqrly]

Ah yes sorry about that, I am using 64 bit Windows 7. The ram is used up by the programs I mentioned (engineering programs, onenote, excel, pdfs, skype)

According to the user's manual the laptop can handle 16gb ram.

 

[getochkn]

IF you maxing out 8gb all the time, then 16gb would help provind you laptop supports it and

 

[Sqrly]

Alright awesome, is the Gskill ram I linked a good choice?

And do you see any other bottlenecks that would have a noticeable adverse impact on system performance?

 

[masterboy9]

think about this, its faster speed for less: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226473

 

[Sqrly]

think about this, its faster speed for less: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226473

According to hwinfo it says my laptop can only use up to DDR3 1600. The gskill ones are about 150 with the discount code atm.

I logged my usage for a day or so, and these are the results:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/67525619/Share/2014-08-16%2011_36_28-HWiNFO64%20v4.40-2240%20Sensor%20Status.jpg

Does it look like my CPU is contributing to any slowdowns in my multitasking performance? (Is it ok that my CPU is 2 generations behind?)

I just want to make sure that upgrading my laptop's ram to 16gb is worth it and will provide noticeably improvements.

 

[getochkn]

It's your RAM usage. Your CPU usage is low, but your RAM is maxed a lot of the time. More RAM would certainly help your case.

 

[Sqrly]

Thank you very much for taking the time to help!