Context: I don't have multiple systems, but I do have VMs that I'd like to provide physical separation on my network via hardware passthru. I don't need more than gigabit, but I'm out of PCIe slots. In comes the two legacy PCI slots on the board to save the day.

Massive shoutout to this tank of a 7 year old motherboard sitting in my home server at the moment. It's that perfect blend of modern features and legacy ones allow for some wild flexibility. B350 Tomahawk my beloved

But those skills you learn there are translatable in a lot of different ways. Being able to document processes, understand the technical aspects of how operating systems work, how modularity helps support functional workflows, etc. All very much transferable knowledge

I was in a very similar situation. Extended stay in the world of undergrad CS, disrupted by similar feelings. I liked the schooling, the topics were great, but I wasn't the kind of person with ambitions of making large software projects or getting hired at a FAANG company.