Unleash Power and Performance: Framework’s Revolutionary Desktop PC for Gaming and Local AI Inference

Framework, known for its innovative modular laptops, has introduced its first desktop computer. This small PC offers surprising power.

What stands out is what’s inside. Framework is among the first to use AMD’s new Strix Halo architecture, featuring Ryzen AI Max processors. This unit is designed for strong performance.

The Framework Desktop targets two groups: gamers seeking compact systems and users wanting to run large language models on their machines.

The Desktop itself resembles a toy more than a conventional PC. It measures just 4.5 liters and fits a mini-ITX mainboard, making it smaller than a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.

Customization is key with the Framework Desktop. It features a front panel with 21 interchangeable plastic tiles, allowing buyers to choose colors and patterns that match their style.

Beyond the standard ports found on a mini-ITX board, Framework adds its signature expansion cards at the base. Users can opt for a mix of USB-C, USB-A, headphone jacks, SD card readers, or even storage expansion options.

Inside, the setup is straightforward. It includes the AMD processing unit, a fan, a heat sink, a power supply, and two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for storage.

The Ryzen AI Max processor is built into the board. Buyers can choose between two options: the Ryzen AI Max 385 or the more powerful Ryzen AI Max+ 395. The latter offers 16 CPU cores, 40 graphics cores, and 80MB of cache, while the entry model features 8 CPU cores, 32 graphics cores, and 40MB of cache.

One unique feature is the RAM. Framework offers options of 32GB to 128GB of soldered RAM. This means you can’t upgrade it later.

Framework CEO Nirav Patel explained that this decision was made to achieve high memory speed. “We explored options but found modular memory was not feasible at this bandwidth,” he noted on the company’s blog.

However, having up to 128GB of unified memory is beneficial for users working with large language models. Tools like Ollama, llama.cpp, and others can run effectively on the device.

Framework also offers the mainboard separately. For instance, they constructed a mini-rack setup with four mainboards for AI testing.

The starting price for the Framework Desktop is $1,099, while the premium model is $1,999. Like their laptops, this desktop is compatible with Windows and popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora.

Pre-orders are available now, with shipments set to begin in early Q3 2025.