need help with buying pc

im actually well versed in linux being that my last 2 machines were debian and ive ran ubuntu on 2 other machines. im not limiting myself to a windows machine..

ive been looking at stuff like this https://www.amazon.com/Refurbished-Opti … B0155KLQ2K

i dont need a keyboard, mouse or monitor.. idk i feel since the most intensive stuff im going to do is video chat theres gotta be a cheap alternative

I got a thinkpad l430 a few years ago used on Amazon for $200. I used linux for a year or two until I could get a windows license, and it works fine for all the things you listed, if you baby it. You can even record games if you turn the settings down low (most Source engine games, minecraft with optifine, some RPGs, etc.) FL Studio works fine, but you'll need a wide buffer, and you'll have to prerender any cpu intensive sounds with the recording and rendering features.

   If you get a thinkpad and install windows, then make sure to install all the drivers and to configure your system to use all the cores. You can have a lot of things open, but if the system gets slow, use task manager to shut down processes. I recommend Firefox, because it doesn't run in the background like chrome or chromium, and it can preload entire videos into memory using the html5 player. For Linux, you can download a desktop environment that isn't resource intensive, or for full performance on windows, go to control panel, system, advanced system settings, performance, and optimize for best performance.

   OBS is really good for recording, and I've never had a problem with it.
I use Shotcut, and Openshot for video editing, and they are both pretty easy to edit with as long as you wait for the programs to catch up with you, and rendering doesn't take too long at all, though I wouldn't recommend doing anything while it works.

   On Thinkpads, and laptops in general, you can usually install an extra sodimm. I upgraded to 4 GB.
The L430 has 3 USB 2.0 ports and a USB 3.0 port.
You can definately buy one of these and run with it, but you should get a newer model.

what do you need an i7 for if you aren't gaming with it? heavy video editing use? for just a general purpose family computer, the i7 is probably overkill, all your other specs can be had for around half your budget (with an i5 instead of the i7, even the i7 would leave it well below your budget the last i checked). don't spend more than you need to, that money can go towards gear, beer, delicious food, or if you really just don't care you can always paypal me any excess funds

Yes. The reason for the higher-end processor is because I already know I can install more RAM. I could even add another hard drive, but how easily can I upgrade the processor? Do I need to know how to solder?