I have a quad core intel Q9550 @2.83GHz

4GB RAM

and I'm running the GTX 660 gpu. My monitors max resolution is only 1360x768 (it's an old 32" LCD TV from like 2005)

Just how laughable is my CPU these days?

Depends on the games you want to play. Games are starting to require stronger CPUs if you want all the fancy visual options (BF4 for example) but most games should run fine.

That's a 2008 CPU. It's pretty dated, but you're running at 768 display which is equally dated so there is no real bottleneck there. In order to see a noticeable graphical jump, you'll need a new CPU/Mobo and a new display at the very least.

I would upgrade that along with your monitor