Welcome to the short and succint guide to the Wyse CX0 / Dell Optiplex FX130
So why should you care (as a home labber)?
Well, the Wyse CX0 / Dell Optiplex FX130 (really a rebadged Clentron U720) are based on an ancient VIA Uden SoC with a VIA VX855 chipset. In terms of modern applications, it's a bit garbage, but for retrocomputing, it's not that bad.
How much CPU and GPU firepower can I expect from one?
What’s my path to expandability?
HA!
- 1 Internal USB 3.0 port (fits a Sandisk Cruzer Fit just fine)
- 1 MiniPCIe slot (note: Not M.2) - there are probably some MiniPCIe NICs out there.
- 2 USB2.0 ports in the back, , 2 USB 2.0 ports in the front
Upgrade Compatibility with...eh, never mind.
Is there a guide to working inside the chassis?
OS Compatibility
The following bas been tested and known to work:
Windows XP
How much can I expect to pay for one?
As of Q1 2025, about 10-20 USD for a refurb unit
Advantages
• No IPMI, and no VPro. Remote admin - what the heck is that?
• GPIO pins? What the heck is that? (If you are planning to bitbang the this is not for you)
• It's not very fast but it sure is slow.
So, what can I do with it?
- Run MUNT with it
Got a USB-to-Midi interface and an oldschool machine with a Midi port, and you can't afford a Roland MT-32 for DOS games? Easy - Debian Linux + MUNT, buy the Roland ROMs, set it up and plug it to a pair of decent speakers. Instant MT-32 for those who likes to play Lucasart's Loom with the MT32 patch suite (well, assuming you don't finish the game in less than an hour)...
Are there similar products out in the market today?
So why should you care (as a home labber)?
Well, the Wyse CX0 / Dell Optiplex FX130 (really a rebadged Clentron U720) are based on an ancient VIA Uden SoC with a VIA VX855 chipset. In terms of modern applications, it's a bit garbage, but for retrocomputing, it's not that bad.
How much CPU and GPU firepower can I expect from one?
What’s my path to expandability?
HA!
- 1 Internal USB 3.0 port (fits a Sandisk Cruzer Fit just fine)
- 1 MiniPCIe slot (note: Not M.2) - there are probably some MiniPCIe NICs out there.
- 2 USB2.0 ports in the back, , 2 USB 2.0 ports in the front
Upgrade Compatibility with...eh, never mind.
Is there a guide to working inside the chassis?
OS Compatibility
The following bas been tested and known to work:
Windows XP
How much can I expect to pay for one?
As of Q1 2025, about 10-20 USD for a refurb unit
Advantages
- It's cheap and works better than a Raspberry Pi 2 or 3. And you don't have to buy a case, a power brick and a MicroSD card for it.
- Silent - no moving parts
- Sips power (1w idle, 6-8w fully loaded)
- More common than a cockaroach in an NYC subway station (so very cheap)
• No IPMI, and no VPro. Remote admin - what the heck is that?
• GPIO pins? What the heck is that? (If you are planning to bitbang the this is not for you)
• It's not very fast but it sure is slow.
So, what can I do with it?
- Run MUNT with it
Got a USB-to-Midi interface and an oldschool machine with a Midi port, and you can't afford a Roland MT-32 for DOS games? Easy - Debian Linux + MUNT, buy the Roland ROMs, set it up and plug it to a pair of decent speakers. Instant MT-32 for those who likes to play Lucasart's Loom with the MT32 patch suite (well, assuming you don't finish the game in less than an hour)...
Are there similar products out in the market today?