Framework, the corporate that’s higher identified for its modular, repairable laptops, simply launched its first desktop pc. It’s a small desktop PC that punches above its weight.
The most attention-grabbing half is what’s contained in the gadget. Framework is without doubt one of the first firms to make use of AMD’s not too long ago introduced Strix Halo structure, also called the Ryzen AI Max processors. It’s an all-in-one processing unit that guarantees some critical efficiency.
In different phrases, Framework simply designed a PC for 2 sorts of clients: folks searching for an especially small gaming PC, or individuals who need to run giant language fashions on their very own computer systems.
From the skin, the Framework Desktop appears extra like a toy than a critical pc. It is a small 4.5L pc constructed round a mini-ITX mainboard, which makes it smaller than a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X.
It has a customizable entrance panel with 21 interchangeable plastic sq. tiles. When you purchase a Framework Desktop on the corporate’s web site, you’ll be able to choose tile colours and patterns to create your individual entrance panel.
In addition to the same old ports that you just often get with a mini-ITX mainboard, you’ll discover Framework’s iconic growth playing cards on the backside of the gadget — two on the entrance, and two on the again. You can choose between a variety of modules, resembling USB-C or USB-A ports, a headphone jack, an SD card reader, or perhaps a storage growth card.
The internals are fairly easy: There’s the mainboard with AMD’s accelerated processing unit, a fan, a warmth sink, an influence provide, and two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for storage.
AMD’s Strix Halo APU is soldered to the mainboard. Framework affords two completely different configurations — the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395. The prime configuration comes with 16 CPU cores, 40 graphics cores, and 80MB of cache, whereas the entry-level configuration comes with 8 CPU cores, 32 graphics cores and 40MB of cache.
But the place’s the RAM? That’s actually going to be essentially the most divisive design selection since Framework affords 32GB to 128GB of soldered-in RAM. You received’t have the ability to purchase extra RAM or improve it down the highway.
“There is one place we did must step away from PC norms although, which is on reminiscence. To allow the large 256GB/s reminiscence bandwidth that Ryzen AI Max delivers, the LPDDR5x is soldered,” Framework CEO Nirav Patel wrote on the corporate’s weblog.
“We spent months working with AMD to discover methods round this, however finally decided that it wasn’t technically possible to land modular reminiscence at excessive throughput with the 256-bit reminiscence bus,” he added.
Nevertheless, having as a lot as 128GB of unified reminiscence unlocks many prospects in relation to giant language fashions. Llama 3.3 70B can run with none hiccup utilizing Ollama, llama.cpp and different open-source instruments for native AI workloads.
Other open-weight fashions from Mistral, Nous, Hermes or DeepSeek must also run positive. Framework additionally sells the mainboard with no case. For occasion, the corporate has constructed a mini-rack with 4 Framework Desktop mainboards working in parallel for AI testing.
The base mannequin of the Framework Desktop begins at $1,099, whereas the top-end model prices $1,999. Like different Framework computer systems, the corporate guarantees help for Windows in addition to well-liked Linux distributions resembling Ubuntu, Fedora, or its gaming-focused cousin Bazzite.
Pre-orders are open now, however shipments will solely begin in early Q3 2025.
