this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2025
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Linux Gaming

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Should I buy an Alienware X51 r2 for 100$? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by Dariusmiles2123@sh.itjust.works to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
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Hi everyone!

I have the opportunity to buy an Alienware x51 R2 from the early 2010’s for around 100$.

It would be used as a first Linux gaming pc for my 8 year old son.

I can’t know the exact specifications as the friend selling it doesn’t know them and uninstalled Windows on it so he can’t check the specs. I only know it has an i7 and was able to run some recent Call of Duty and Flught Simulator games.

I don’t know how much RAM it has (from 2 to 16gb apparently) and I know it has an Nvidia gpu but I don’t know which one. According to a website, it could be between a GTX660 and a GTX970.

What do you think? Should I give it a try or are these components not gonna be great for any Linux gaming for my son (Beam NG, Sonic All Stars Racing, games from the 2010’s, …)?

I also know old Nvdia cards have a bad reputation on Linux.

Thanks for your help

Edit: After some research and thanks to your answers, I won’t make the mistake of buying it

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[–] rozodru@pie.andmc.ca 5 points 5 days ago

eh even at $100 I wouldn't. it's a 15 year old Alienware...

so lets look at the specs online: At most you're going to get 16gb of ram out of it. that's it. it's not able to do more so it's at most 16gb but likely might be 8gb. The processor is a gen 4 i7 The GPU is likely going to be at most a gtx 970 so again, meh.

Nvidia cards don't have a bad rep on Linux but you're going to struggle with a 15+ year old dedicated gpu.

Honestly at $100 you can probably find a better spec'd laptop online via a third market like craigslist or whatever is popular where you are. Sure this thing is only $100 but getting it up and running and gaming is probably going to cause you more headaches than what it's worth.

if you want to get a cheap PC for your son I'd suggest you wait and save up a bit more to get something better/more recent. a 15 year old PC isn't going to last you long.