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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[–] Eldritch@piefed.world 3 points 5 days ago

I have an R3. Overall, it's a decent little system and for $100 if you're getting the graphics card with it probably reasonably worth it. The thing to keep in mind with this is it's very limited on its upgrade path due to all the proprietaryness. That's also going to impact reparability.

My R3 came with a 6th generation I7. Buying business e-waste systems with sixth generation i7 processors is typically going to run you about a hundred dollars themselves. But not include a discrete GPU or power supply capable of handling a discrete GPU. As long as you know what you're getting into going into it, it's okay.