Modular computer specialist Framework has unveiled Desktop, its first desktop PC. Unlike laptops, desktop PCs are modular by design, but the manufacturer has managed to offer something interesting.
Image source: Framework
The range of mini-ITX mini-PCs with a 4.5-liter case is small, but in addition to these advantages, Framework has equipped its Desktop with the most powerful AMD Strix Halo hybrid processors with very productive graphics, which are complemented by up to 128 GB of LPDDR5x RAM.
A pleasant addition to the powerful configuration is the appearance of the computer – the front panel is decorated with 21 replaceable tiles; the owner of the computer can choose at his own discretion which input-output ports will be on this panel. Framework Desktop is equipped with a standard mini-ITX motherboard, there is a specially developed cooling system by Cooler Master and Noctua with standard 120 mm fans and a Flex ATX power supply from FSP for 400 W. There is a handle for carrying the computer.
There are no slots for RAM – it is soldered. “We spent several months with AMD to avoid this, but ultimately came to the conclusion that it is technically impossible to accommodate high-bandwidth modular memory with a 256-bit bus,” Framework explained.
The motherboard has two M.2 2280 slots for NVMe SSDs with a total capacity of up to 16 TB. There is a PCIe x4 slot, but there are no SATA ports. There is also 5 Gbps Ethernet, two USB4, two DisplayPort, one HDMI, two USB Type-A ports, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Of the wireless interfaces, there is a Wi-Fi 7 module.
The most powerful configuration with an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and 128 GB of memory can locally run the Meta✴ Llama 3.3 70B Q6 AI model in real time. And high-speed USB4 and 5 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces allow you to cluster multiple computers or motherboards and run even larger models – even the DeepSeek R1 671B.
Framework Desktop, although more compact than Microsoft Xbox Series X and Sony PlayStation 5, can act as a gaming computer. Journalists from The Verge managed to run not only the standard Counter-Strike on the older configuration, but also the more demanding Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p resolution at maximum settings without ray tracing – it showed at least 60 frames per second with an average value above 70, and without FSR and frame generation.
The top configuration with 128 GB of memory and an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip (16 CPU cores, 40 GPU cores, and 80 MB of on-chip cache) will cost $1,999 without a drive or OS. There is a simpler version with an eight-core CPU, 32-core graphics, 40 MB of cache, and 32 GB of memory for $1,099. An intermediate option with a top-end chip is available for $1,599. Finally, you can buy just the motherboard for $799 — you’ll have to find a mini-ITX case and power supply for it.