I use Debian, Ubuntu, or Mint, and need to upgrade my computer because my current graphics won't work with kernels newer than 4.2.x. (Newer versions cause a regression than I have been unable to fix on my Intel Core i5-2310 CPU @ 3.2GHz system with Mesa DRI Intel(R) Sandybridge Desktop integrated graphics.) I was thinking of buying a new ZaReason machine for around $800 total, but that is a big expense for me and I am also aware of the possible cheaper option of getting either a windows machine or a bare-bones machine and just loading my Linux OS. Of course, I would want to ensure it would be compatible with the Linux OS and have a reasonable expectation it would work for 5-6 years with the ever-newer stream of kernels being adopted so continually by the distros. (My current system only dates to 2011 - Asus CM6850, originally preloaded with Windows). I would also like to buy a minimalish system, having no desire to have the latest CPU just to say I have it. My use is mostly limited to web browsing, fairly large spreadsheets, word processing book-length documents, and live streaming. My current system is more than adequate, until I could no longer update to the new versions. I am now using Mint 17.3 MATE, so I am OK for now, but the applications will soon get stale. I cannot use Mint 18, any of the Ubuntu 16.04 flavors, or Debian Testing (probably my preference), due to the limitations of my hardware. I am not a technical person, so if anyone has advice on minimal requirements for components or knows of any off-the-shelf system that would suit my needs I would appreciate having the insight in down to earth terms. Thanks very much.

What regression is causing your trouble? Care to describe it in more detail?

The regression prevents my native 1920x1080 display from working, resulting in a very blurry display. I have sought help on this forum and others (including Arch), to no avail. The recommendations to attempt possible fixes usually required me to install one of the newer distros, then provide readout for certain commands. Four of five of these efforts failed, so I gave up. I can't be installing and reinstalling all the time. Intel says the graphics is no longer supported, which is odd because it is not that old but that's what I learned. For these reasons my focus is now on different hardware.

Hmmm. Anyhow, are you willing to replace the motherboard, CPU and RAM or you want entire new box? I'd recommend for your purpose i3 CPU and 8 GB of RAM, motherboard with LGA1151 socket.

Edit: You may be able to re-use your RAM.

I am willing to either change components of my current box or replace it all, depending on the cost and the amount of technical experience needed (I have little). I do already have 12G of RAM). What would you do?

Go ahead and get a LGA1151 mobo, i3-6300 and a screwdriver.

Edit! The socket is LGA1151.

Thanks for the input. I will investigate.

You could get an nVidia GT430 for less than $50 and solve your graphics problem this way.

Edit: Just looked at eBay listing, there is a GT430 for $30 free shipping.

So, a dedicated graphics card will bypass the integrated one and still work off my processor? If that is the case, that is definitely my best bet! What do I need to know about my hardware to ensure a given card, such as the one you suggest, will fit & work?

You need a PCIe 2.1 x16 slot. Pay attention to connection type, the card on eBay has 2x DVI and one mini HDMI. you are not using VGA, I hope?

No, I'm using HDMI. I appreciate your help. Thanks. I will probably buy something new, as I have the correct slot, it appears.

I recommended GT430 because it is a great product for your needs, it does not consume too much power and it can do lots of things in hardware, as a matter of fact some later GT730 cards use the same chip.

Very well. I have noted all the info. Thanks very much again.