Need to upgrade my MBP but don't know where to start?

[cookie munsta]

I need to upgrade my MBP but i don't know where to start? Im looking for a bigger boost and performance and anything in between. Some of the things i wanna do on my MBP is mostly school related like; Inventor, CAD, edited lite, multisim, etc. I know i need to upgrade my HDD to SDD but how do i go about that? what are my best options? where can i get them? are they compatible with my mac? how do they compete/compare with other SDD's out there?
I' am planning on installing windows 7 on my mac in order to run some if not all this programs this weekend so does anyone know if installing new hardware will effect windows 7 after installation?
Thanks!!

Here is what i have:

I'm running OS X Yosemite 10.10.2
13" mid 2012
Memory 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Intel HD graphics 4000 1024 MB
500GB SATA Disk
SuperDrive
Mac contains 2 memory slots, each of which accepts
a 1600 MHz DDR3 memory module. each slot 2GB

 

[harryb2448]

You can upgrade to a maximum of 16GB, 2 x 8GB modules. Most of us here say a minimum of 8GB is nice. OWC Mac specialist seel your memory.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3_1600MHz_SDRAM

OWC (Mc Sales) also sell SSDs. I have used six different brands of SSds over the years and would recommend OWC and OCZ Vertek.

 

[lclev]

If you are going to run CAD you might go with 16GB of memory. The SSD is a great idea. Harry already gave you a link to find the parts. Here is is site that will show you how to install them:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13"_Unibody_Mid_2012

Lisa

 

[cookie munsta]

You can upgrade to a maximum of 16GB, 2 x 8GB modules. Most of us here say a minimum of 8GB is nice. OWC Mac specialist seel your memory.

Upgrade Memory of MacBook Pro 2012 & Later to 8GB or 16GB 1600MHz DDR3L

OWC (Mc Sales) also sell SSDs. I have used six different brands of SSds over the years and would recommend OWC and OCZ Vertek.

What's a good amount of GB for an SSD? and any mayor differences between OWC and OCZ Vertek?

 

[cookie munsta]

If you are going to run CAD you might go with 16GB of memory. The SSD is a great idea. Harry already gave you a link to find the parts. Here is is site that will show you how to install them:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13"_Unibody_Mid_2012

Lisa

THANK YOU! for the link!!

 

[pigoo3]

What's a good amount of GB for an SSD?

Really depends on your budget. But I would say nothing less than 256gig…512gig would be better.

- Nick