Framework has entered the desktop market with a unique compact PC that is designed for specific use cases. The Framework Desktop features AMD’s Ryzen AI Max processors, which promise serious performance and are ideal for small gaming PCs or running large language models locally.
The device is built around a mini-ITX mainboard and measures 4.5L in size, making it smaller than a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. Its compact design comes with interchangeable plastic square tiles on the front panel, allowing users to customize their machine’s appearance.
In terms of ports, the Framework Desktop offers a range of expansion cards at the bottom of the device, including USB-C and USB-A ports, a headphone jack, an SD card reader, and storage expansion options. The internals feature AMD’s accelerated processing unit, a fan, a heat sink, a power supply, and two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for storage.
Two configurations are available: the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, both of which come with soldered-in RAM ranging from 32GB to 128GB. This design choice has sparked debate, as users will not be able to upgrade or add more RAM in the future.
However, the Framework Desktop’s unique memory configuration enables the use of large language models such as Llama 3.3 70B, which can run without issues using open-source tools for local AI workloads. Preorders are now open, with shipments set to begin early Q3 2025.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/26/frameworks-first-desktop-pc-is-ready-for-gaming-and-local-ai-inference