Sounds like your setup could really use a boost! I’d recommend upgrading your CPU, motherboard, and RAM first since those are likely slowing things down. Going for a Ryzen 5 or a newer Intel i5 would make a big difference. You'll need a new motherboard that supports the new CPU and DDR4 RAM, so I'd aim for at least 16GB of RAM to help with multitasking and gaming. Your GTX 970 is still okay for casual games, but if you want better performance, consider something like a GTX 1660 Super or an RTX 2060 if you can swing it. Just double-check that your PSU can handle any new GPU you choose.