I used to rebuild/upgrade computers I found for free or cheap as a hobby. I loaded them with the most user-friendly version of Linux (usually Mint) and gave them away to kids or the elderly who couldn't afford to buy new. I only stopped because it was assumed that I would be available for 24/7 support so the recipients didn't need to learn anything.

I haven't been an active gamer since DukeNukem and Redneck Rampage, so I have no interest in dumping thousands into the latest and greatest that will be obsoleted in the shipping time to get to me. I built a couple of systems for myself and my son when Covid first hit, thinking they would be needed if most personal contact was curtailed and everyone moved to Zoom and other video apps.

I've always been an AMD fan, especially since they introduced their Ryzen line with on-chip video. I used the Ryzen 7 for my son's system but went with the older A10 for mine for its 6 dedicated video cores and 4 processing cores. Surprisingly, the 7 outperforms my A10 in benchmark testing, but that is not a concern.

Using cases and power supplies I had, I managed to get both systems into a budget of less than $400, including SSD and M.2 storage. That was before the chip shortage, of course, and neither has a video card separate from the processor. Both have 3200 capable memory but are running at native 2400 to avoid heat issues and shortened lifespans. I fully expect to get another 3-4 years out of both in addition to the years since building them.