So, I'm dumb as shit when it comes to computer now. I'm operating with some family Christmas money and would like to keep things under a grand if possible. Basically what I wanna do that requires power is being able to game up to running a dolphin emulator well enough, graphical setting higher than like 720p really don't matter to me, if I can run some sorta newish PC stuff at lower graphic ends fairly smooth that's perfectly fine just wanna play new Vegas on PC with mods for the first time level. Also being capable of some light video/sound editing would be cool. Plz don't get too into the weeds here, I'm so behind on stuff it's kinda funny.
Have you considered a Steam Deck? They cost about half your budget and I think they'll do most of the things you listed. Also you can play with it on the couch and emulate all kinds of things, including running dolphin. I think it might require a little fiddling to make dolphin smooth but not a ton.
With your leftover budget you could focus on exactly what you'd want for light/video/sound editing. Technically the Steam Deck is also a Linux desktop but I have no idea if it would work well for those tasks.
You also might want to look into a used SFF business PC that you shove a GPU into. Dell Optiplex sff, Lenovo Thinkcentre sff, HP Optiplex sff (it's second hand so I don't think BDS matters there). Focus on the CPU that's included and make sure it's good enough. Could put a good computer together for about $250-$400.
I need like, the bare bones as far as editing goes. I want a general purpose computer that if I wanna play a game I can, I can do the audio visual stuff I want on my decade old laptop or could if the screen worked, what I'm up to takes as little post production as you can manage.
Nice! I bet you'd be happy with one of those sff business PCs. I have a few and they are solid. It also removes basically any need to think about components aside from getting compatible RAM and a GPU.
Look at this thing. You only need to add a GPU, really. And maybe a HDD for video if you're not using an external drive. That particular model has really good storage expansion options. You can also spend a little more to get ones with no scuffs but I don't really care about that, myself.
I've posted elsewhere in the thread, but I'm mostly using my parents money as a christmas thing so it's not like what I save on this can be used elsewhere in my life and my folks can afford it. So I'm trying to go a little over my immediate needs so I can pirate a few games as well and not news to worry about anything running bad for a while. I'm not a triple a guy but if I wanna play something kinda modern on lowr settings I'd like the option, cool stuff comes out here and there and if piracy is an option then I may be more compelled to try out more stuff, so breathing room that way is nice.
Oh that's different!
I'd still actually look into to the used sff route myself. I'd just get a newer model. You'll get way more CPU for your money and the build quality is better than most towers.
The one downside might be that an sff would mean you had to use a low profile GPU. If that's no good, then they do also have tower versions of these PCs. Something like this.
The main downside to these business computers is that you can't really upgrade the power supplies (they're proprietary), though you can always replace them with used ones. I don't mind this because I don't need an extremely powerful graphics card.
Compare specs vs $$$ to see if it's a better deal!
If you're willing to put some time into it you can always install windows on the Steam Deck and dual-boot so you get the good gaming experience and you can still use the same editing software you're used to. It's pretty good hardware so it can definitely handle some light video/audio editing.
I'm not
It's definitely a tinkerer's machine if you want to do more than gaming on it - lots of the replies are suggesting old SFF business PCs and those definitely look like a good way to get something going easily.