Same here Critter. I've given up at the moment. I can't buy what I bought in 2007 for $1000, for $1500-$2000. I found the same, bad graphics, one fan, a very small power supply etc. And if I see a $500-$600 PC the upgrades I'd have to do would be at least 2-4 hundred dollars and a new power supply. I've done the same research you're talking about and it seems I can't even replace what I have in my 2007 XP PC for the same money.
Lots of junk out there. I read an article that said Chip orders were way down. Companies aren't selling. So expect price cuts in the Fall. We'll see.
Wayne,
p.s. I've even brought my Gateway P4 2.0, that went through a flood back to life)