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

  • rozodru@pie.andmc.caEnglish
    5·
    10 hours 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.

  • cron@feddit.orgEnglish
    8·
    15 hours ago

    I personally wouldn’t spend money on a PC that has outdated hardware with the performance of a Steam Deck.

  • Zikeji@programming.devEnglish
    8·
    16 hours ago

    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.comEnglish
      9·
      16 hours 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)

  • Eldritch@piefed.worldEnglish
    3·
    8 hours 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.

  • Diplomjodler@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    14 hours ago

    I would definitely never buy anything without inspecting it first. Booting into a live system to check the specs and see if everything works takes ten minutes and isn’t hard. If you can afford to lose the $100, you can take the risk, otherwise I’d stay away unless I got more information.

  • MuttMutt@lemmy.worldEnglish
    16·
    16 hours ago

    I highly suggest setting up a usb flash drive with Ubuntu and booting it up to know the exact specs. Without that it could just be a paperweight.

  • DABDA@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    16 hours ago

    If nothing else, you should easily be able to determine the amount of RAM by watching during POST (might need to press esc/tab/etc. if there’s just a fullscreen logo or something) or by entering the BIOS/UEFI (check mfg site for specific button, but usually delete or an F-key).

    Depending on the friend’s willingness and aptitude there’s also the option of booting a live linux environment with a flash drive (or disc) and using its tools to profile all the detected hardware.

  • eldain@feddit.nlEnglish
    7·
    14 hours ago

    I wouldn’t. 10-15 years of age is a long time for silicon chips, it is a matter of time until some voltage regulator dies and gaming is a power intensive use that could easily overload the remaining chips. And these are the static parts, the hinges and fans could also spell trouble. Even if you can get it for free you should at least repaste the cooling and check and maybe replace the ssd. Linux… not sure if this laptop is from the igpu/gpu switching for powersavings era that spawned bumblebee and never worked really well but watch out you don’t accidentally game on the igpu and you definitely need to use nvidias odd-supported legacy driver.

  • stoy@lemmy.zipEnglish
    61·
    16 hours ago

    It is a fourth gen i3, i5 or i7, I would sadly say that BeamNG will not be happy.

    It might be worth it if it runs an i7…