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Image: Framework
A Framework…desktop? Yes, and it’s coming soon: the Framework Desktop harnesses Framework’s talent for building modular PCs and applies it to desktops — and AMD’s killer Ryzen AI Max processor (also known as Strix Halo).
Framework will begin shipping the first Framework Desktops in the third quarter, and you can pre-order one for as low as $1,099, up to a top price of $1,999.
It’s a concept that forces you to chew on it for a minute, however. Framework spent the last five years building laptops that were as modular as desktops, with replaceable parts that can be swapped out to repair and upgrade them. But how can Framework outdo the existing PC industry, where memory and storage and fans and I/O can be replaced with the turn of a few screws?
As it turns out, only in a few cases. Framework’s designers won’t be replacing an M.2 slot, for example. Nor will it be replacing a standard motherboard form factor with its own custom design. Instead, the new Framework Mainboard was manufactured in a standard mini-ITX form factor, with headers that allow it to fit inside an ATX case.
Framework will supply the chassis (a 4.5-liter mini-ITX), but the Mainboard was also designed for you to drop inside your own case, if you so choose. Presumably, Framework will use its first Mainboard and case as the foundation for iterations on the product to come with replacement Mainboards arriving in the coming years.
What makes the Framework Desktop a Framework product? First, there’s the swappable Mainboard.
Framework
However, the front of the Desktop’s case can be configured with up to 21 colors of panels, and the side panels can be replaced with clear or opaque panels. You can even add a handle for easier transportation. Framework said it will continue to shop the Framework Desktop alongside detailed instructions of how to build and upgrade the Desktop, one of the staples of a Framework device. And yes, there are configurable I/O modules, carried over from the Framework Laptops. Naturally, you have the choice of Windows or Linux, including Ubuntu, Fedora, Bazzite, or Playtron.
“This is the easiest PC you’ll ever build, and we’ll be publishing step-by-step guides and videos to get you there,” the company said.
Framework also launched a Laptop 12 today, as well as an upgrade Laptop 13 with an AMD Ryzen AI 300 option.
Power meets flexibility with the Ryzen AI 300
Fortunately, designing for the Ryzen AI Max may ease that process. “When AMD shared the Ryzen AI Max with us, we immediately knew we had to use it,” Framework said in a blog post.
Mark Hachman / Foundry
The Ryzen AI Max is a unique beast: with an NPU that supports 50 peak TOPS, it has enough AI horsepower to drive AI apps as well as qualify as a Copilot+ PC. But with up to a 80MB of cache, there’s a massive amount of available memory for running either AI workloads or accelerating games with its all-powerful Radeon 880M integrated GPU. That monstrous graphics segment competes with Nvidia’s RTX 4060 to 4070 discrete GPUs in gaming laptops.
Framework designed the Desktop with a semi-custom 400W power supply and cooling to deliver the 16-core Ryzen AI Max+ 395 configuration its full 120W power load (and 140W under boost), though Framework will offer a version with the Ryzen AI Max 385 8-core processor as well. On paper, the Desktop uses an undisclosed number of 120mm fans co-developed with Cooler Master and Noctua, though it’s designed to allow third-party fans, as well.
Mark Hachman / Foundry
Inside the Framework Desktop are two PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 slots for up to 16TB of storage. The Mainboard includes a PCIe x4 slot, however, and doesn’t appear to include a x16 PCIe slot for a dedicated GPU. The rear I/O includes 2 USB4 ports, a pair of DisplayPort ports, HDMI, and 5 Gbit Ethernet. Inside there’s also a WiFi 7 module.
But, weirdly, there is one aspect that makes the Desktop less modular than most PCs: the memory.
“To enable the massive 256GB/s memory bandwidth that Ryzen AI Max delivers, the LPDDR5x is soldered,” Framework said. “We spent months working with AMD to explore ways around this but ultimately determined that it wasn’t technically feasible to land modular memory at high throughput with the 256-bit memory bus. Because the memory is non-upgradeable, we’re being deliberate in making memory pricing more reasonable than you might find with other brands.”
Framework
Framework’s memory pricing wasn’t immediately available, however. The high-end AI Max+ 395 configuration ships with 128GB of memory, while the other Max 385 configuration includes 32GB of soldered memory.
Right now, all of the new Desktops are what Framework calls DIY Editions: Framework supplies the parts, but you’ll be able to bring your own storage and OS if you so choose.
But it’s the DIY element that may pose a challenge. Even some prebuilt PCs allow you to swap out parts, and PCs you build yourself from a case, motherboard, cooler and so on are hand-assembled. Framework Laptops compete against laptop vendors like Acer, Dell, and HP. Who will the Framework Desktop’s competition be? Honestly, it might be you.
Editor’s note: This article first published on February 25 but was updated to include our video.
Author: Mark Hachman, Senior Editor, PCWorld
Mark has written for PCWorld for the last decade, with 30 years of experience covering technology. He has authored over 3,500 articles for PCWorld alone, covering PC microprocessors, peripherals, and Microsoft Windows, among other topics. Mark has written for publications including PC Magazine, Byte, eWEEK, Popular Science and Electronic Buyers’ News, where he shared a Jesse H. Neal Award for breaking news. He recently handed over a collection of several dozen Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs because his office simply has no more room.
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