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 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months 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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[–] Zikeji@programming.dev 8 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I would see if he can visually inspect the RAM and GPU to figure out capacity. If it's Kepler (GTX660) it might wind up being a headache. Maxwell (the GTX970) I believe is still receiving updates from Nvidia so probably fine.

[–] e0qdk@reddthat.com 9 points 6 months ago

Maxwell (the GTX970) I believe is still receiving updates from Nvidia so probably fine.

NVIDIA dropped regular support for it last month. They will get fixes for critical security issues only (until 2028). (source)