FWB,
That is a really nice computer that you have. I took the Windows 7 off of mine and put XP on for now as my other computers are running it and they are to old for 7. The reason I never went higher is I doubt if I will be around long enough to max this one out. And as you said, in a few weeks they are already outdated. I haven't had much chance to play with windows 8 but I am not sure I like it any more than 7.
I just looked at my computer and I was wrong. I do have 16 Gig of Ram and it is expandable to the 32 Gig. I also sprung for a 23" monitor as that was the largest that I could fit on my desk unless I take the top off. And monitors are cheap compared to the rest of the components. Now if I could just learn to type.
Ron