We got to see the new Framework Desktop at the Framework 2nd Gen event in San Francisco. They invited us back to HQ to get our hands on it, and you know what that means—it’s teardown time. Framework has been a beacon of repairability in the laptop space, and now they’re bringing that ethos to desktops.
But this isn’t just any PC—it’s an AI powerhouse in a modular, repairable form factor. It’s built to handle massive AI models, high-performance gaming (for an APU at least), and standard PC workloads. Though the small form factor AI PC world is pretty small still, this machine is the most future-proof and open entry we’ve seen in the space.
Framework’s Philosophy in a Desktop Form Factor
If you’ve followed Framework’s journey, you know they’ve been laser-focused on repairability, upgradability, and sustainability. This desktop is no exception. Built on open PC standards, it features tool-free panels, standard connectors, and off-the-shelf components wherever possible. That means easy disassembly, stress-free upgrades, and a machine built to last.
Before we even touched a screwdriver, we were already impressed. The case panels? Thumbscrews and magnets. The cooling? A Noctua (or Cooler Master) fan, but swappable with any 120mm fan. Storage? M.2 SSDs, both easily accessible. This is the kind of thoughtful design we wish every gadget had.
But Aren’t PCs Already Modular and Repairable?
It’s true that desktops have long been more repairable than laptops. Standardized components like ATX motherboards, PCIe expansion slots, and off-the-shelf storage mean most DIY builders can swap out parts easily. But Framework’s entry has tool-free panels, a modular I/O system, and a focus on repairability—within the technical constraints of the machine’s AI-powering design. We’re expecting to see Framework-style high-quality repair documentation by the time the hardware ships. Plus, with brands increasingly locking down firmware and BIOS settings (and forcing privacy-invasive “features” on users meanwhile), Framework’s commitment to open hardware is a breath of fresh air.
AI and Gaming: A Powerhouse on Your Desk
The Framework Desktop isn’t just modular and repairable—it’s an AI machine that also promises gaming performance. At its core is the AMD Ryzen AI Max, an advanced processor with an integrated Radeon 8060S GPU that delivers discrete-class graphics performance. This isn’t just marketing talk—with up to 96GB of memory dedicated to the GPU, this machine can handle massive AI models locally, running large-scale LLMs like Llama 3.3 70B in real time. Out of the box, Ollama, llama.cpp, and other open-source tools run seamlessly on Windows and Linux, supporting Meta’s Llama, Nous’ Hermes, DeepSeek, and other cutting-edge models.
On the gaming side, high-performance Radeon graphics ensure smooth performance in modern games. The compact Mini-ITX form factor allows for dense builds, making it a great choice for rackmount clustering—and impressively affordably.
The Teardown: Smooth Sailing With a Few Twists
Taking this thing apart was exactly as easy as we’ve come to expect from Framework. They brought us to their HQ to rip into it, and from the very first step, it was clear: this desktop was designed to be opened.
The panels popped right off—we could see nearly all the components inside before we had to touch a screwdriver. The Noctua fan and both M.2 SSDs were easily accessible, requiring just a few screws to remove.
We were glad to see two Framework-signature expansion cards on the bottom, with USB-C attachments. Like their laptops, the Framework Desktop lets you swap I/O cards at will, giving you the flexibility to choose the ports that work best for you.
The main board was held in by four screws—we ran into a slight snag with the front I/O panel, but once we took that off, too, motherboard removal was as painless as the rest.
The Big Question: Why Is the RAM Soldered?
We know what you’re thinking. “Framework? Soldered RAM? What’s going on?” And yeah, we asked the same thing.
Framework CEO Nirav Patel explained at the event that they worked closely with AMD, trying to figure out how to make modular LPCAMM memory work with their desired specs. He explained further in a Linus Tech Tips interview:
“So we did actually ask AMD about this the first time they told us about Strix Halo. It was literally our first question: ‘How do we get modular memory? We are Framework after all.’ And they didn’t say no actually, they did assign one of their technical architects to really really go deep on this—they ran simulations, they ran studies, and they just determined it’s not possible with Strix Halo to do LPCAMM. The signal integrity doesn’t work out because of how that memory’s fanning out over the 256-bit bus.”
In short: detachable RAM would have tanked performance—potentially cutting bandwidth in half. Framework prides itself on repairability, but they weren’t willing to compromise speed to get it. We respect that level of transparency.
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Repairable Desktops
The Framework Desktop is an exciting step forward. It’s a true open-standard PC with modularity baked in. Sure, the soldered RAM isn’t ideal, but everything else is designed to be repaired and upgraded—just as it should be.
We can’t assign a repairability score yet, since this was an engineering sample, but rest assured—we will once we get our hands on the final version. If Framework keeps this level of accessibility intact, we expect a very high score.
For now, we’re just excited to see what’s next. With Framework pushing the industry forward, maybe we’ll someday see a world where every gadget is this repairable.
7 comentários
I don't see how this follows the Framework line. The lack of a 16x PCIe slot is surprising on a supposed "upgrade-able" desktop. Can't think of a desktop I've owned where I didn't upgrade the GPU at least once in its life cycle.
Though it's the only desktop with an SoC capable of rivaling the desktop macs with the shared memory approach, and it's much more "upgrade-able" than those. Though the bar is really low
alphaLONE - Responder
There's no x16 slot because Strix Halo only has twelve PCIe lanes. You get two M.2 sockets and an x4 slot. The GPU is integrated.
Azazelle la Matins-étoile -
I know Intel is hurting these days, but still prefer them to AMD, which also means I'm stuck with nVidia. Ugh. (Back in the day, ATI graphics cards just sucked, and they're now also AMD, though I'm sure improvements have been made over the years.)
Too bad the memory is soldered, but the explanation for it is reasonable. With the CPU and GPU sharing that memory, one would naturally want to purchase the 128G option. One day 256? 512?
Boxes I build use Corsair PSU/Memory/Cooling, Samsung storage, Intel CPU, nVidia GPU. They're not cheap, but do last awhile.
My original 13" Framework laptop is great for mobile, but not the daily driver. Wish I could coerce OSX to run on it, but x86 days for that OS are numbered anyway. Hopefully the good folk at OpenCore will figure out how to spoof an ARM system. I'll never purchase Apple again until I can work on the device and upgrade as needed. (The '09 MBP is long in the tooth, but still running! Like a favorite pet, just can't bring myself to put it out to pasture.)
osxtra - Responder
This is too expensive. Compare it to the $999 Mac Mini M4 w. 24GB/512GB and at $1099 for starting Framework system, you get a little more memory (needed for the less efficient Windows 11), but NO storage. You also get a few more Graphics cores at the expense of less CPU cores. If this started at $600 for the motherboard, it would be an easy sell. That might happen because I believe this is a Chinese OEM manufactured board and will be sold on AliExpress or wind up with a variant in MinisForum SFF. In any case it will be interesting to see how these smaller companies relying on Chinese manufacturing will compete with Apple when you add tariffs and more expensive shipping that Apple is hard at work getting waivers and exemptions for its products to be sold in the US. Also add the fact you can’t get one till Q3 with even more volatility coming, not sure if I want to part ways with $1K at this time.
Michael Balzer - Responder
Framework pretents to be upgradeable but i see a soldered cpu and ram, they wana locking customers so that they requirre to buy a entire motherboard to upgrade
Peter Ben Jumanne - Responder
I know that for $1000, I could build a reasonably powerful socketed cpu, memory, & storage based, non-gaming machine that could, be maintained/upgraded for years. I guess I'd still need a few tools. Why in God's name would I want a kilobuck microDT that's totally contrary to the idea of build and repair it yourself. Framework should stick with laptops for now or perhaps build their own line of boards and cases. That socalled DT is bass ackwards, we need outside the box thinking, not the computer equivalent of a Rolex.
mustermark - Responder
Do you have a picture of the RAM modules to get the part number so we can see if we can replace them ourselves? I wouldn't mind to spend an hour with the solder iron to double the RAM while using also 8533 modules and then hack the bios.
P T - Responder