Improving memory on a 2011 mbp

Get an SSD.

 

How would adding more RAM give you more processing power? Processing power is limited by the CPU/GPU

 

You need to post more info on the MBP, there are 2 different 2011 models, early and late 2011, with different specs. However, that is right, you cannot increase the processing power. However, as one poster said adding an SSD will give a definite impression of a speed increase, the difference between even the fastest HD and an SSD is a night-and-day difference in the user's perception. The whole computer feels so much more responsive. Make sure you install any SSD in the main HD drive bay, even if you add an optibay dock for a HD.
Again, unless you are doing very intensive CPU tasks, I think the 2011 Sandy Bridge MBP should be quite sufficient. 8GB of RAM should also be enough for most people/tasks, although you can install 16GB on either 2011 MBP. Check the RAM usage in Activity Monitor (/Applications/Utilities), if you get high page outs while doing your normal usage pattern, then you may benefit by adding more RAM, if you have low page outs, then you will probably not see any improvement. There is a thread about "optimizing SSD" here somewhere you should read if you do add an SSD.
In short, your computer, while getting old now, is still quite usable. If you have the cash to buy a new model (wait for the Haswell update), go for it, but it is probably not really necessary.

 

Do a ram upgrade:


You'll think you bought a new Macbook Pro

 

Like others said, process power is by CPU while graphic is by GPU. These things cannot be changed.

But if you can elaborate more on what the issue you are having then it may not be the process power issue.

Slow of bootup and opening apps? SSD will solve this issue.

Apps freezing and slow opening apps? Increase RAM will solve this issue.