Framework's first-ever desktop PC packs AMD's Ryzen AI Max, priced from $1,099

[Shawn Knight]

In a nutshell: Framework has introduced its first desktop PC, a mini-ITX system running AMD's latest Ryzen AI Max family of processors. The aptly named Framework Desktop ships with your choice of an AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 (eight core / 16 thread) or AI Max+ 395 (16 core / 32 thread), Radeon 8060S graphics, and up to 128 GB of LPDDR5x memory.

Notably, the components are soldered into place – not exactly what you'd expect from a company that champions the right to repair movement. In fact, a standard desktop PC is far more flexible with regard to CPU, GPU, and memory upgrades.

Framework partially addresses this shortcoming, noting that to enable the 256 GB/s memory bandwidth that Ryzen AI Max delivers, they had to solder the LPDDR5x into place.

"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," the company said.

Other features and peripherals afford more choice. For example, the Mini-ITX motherboard includes a broad set of rear I/O ports and can be installed in any compatible chassis should you not want to source one from Framework. Users are also free to bring their own fans to the table should they prefer not to use the ones Framework co-developed with Cooler Master and Noctua.

Framework said it'll be publishing step-by-step installation guides and videos to help newcomers get up and running.

The Framework Desktop is available is available to pre-order now. Pricing starts at $1,099 for a machine equipped with a Ryzen AI Max 385 and 32 GB of memory, and scales up to $1,999 for the top-end model packing a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and 128 GB of memory.

A $100 deposit can get your name on the list. As DIY Editions, they come without storage and an operating – you can either supply your own or add them on during checkout for an additional fee. It's also possible to pre-order the CPU, motherboard, and memory combo as a standalone unit with prices starting at $799.

Systems ordered now are expected to ship in the third quarter of 2025.

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Framework's first-ever desktop PC packs AMD's Ryzen AI Max, priced from $1,099

 

[VariableSpike]

As a NUC type device it seems neat, but its certainly a very strange foray from a company focused on repairability and modularity into a market that already had it *and* with a product with a soldered cpu and ram...

 

[metrofarmer]

As a NUC type device it seems neat, but its certainly a very strange foray from a company focused on repairability and modularity into a market that already had it *and* with a product with a soldered cpu and ram...

I'd go farther than strange and say this goes against the principals they've touted. Shouldn't they stick to their bread and butter, using motherboards that will allow for upgrades and then leave the small, soldered, setups to other companies?
Maybe they should have waited till they could use LPCAMM2 memory.

 

[opckieran]

The oddest thing about this is the fact that FW is charging $899 for their 385 Max board with 32GB LPDDR5X-8000, and $999 for their HX 370 board without RAM. I know the 370 board can fit in their laptop chassis (which FW wants a frankly absurd $660 extra for with 1880p screen), but, seriously? It doesn’t make a lot of sense past that.


In all, I’m disappointed with what Framework is turning into. When they came into the foray, they were SUPPOSED to be pioneers of the modular laptop, with the idea of keeping costs and e-waste low. They were SUPPOSED to become the mainstream, the new norm. Unfortunately, they’ve priced themselves into an Apple-esque niche.

 

[airbornex]

Framework’s DIY spirit is still there, just in a different form — Not fully modular, but still more flexible than a lot of prebuilt systems. The real question: will people accept a repair-friendly desktop that isn’t fully upgradable?

 

[Burty117]

Linus did a bit on this with Frameworks CEO, they worked with AMD on trying to get LPDDR5X RAM to be replaceable but AMD engineers simply couldn't get signal integrity good enough for it to work.

LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X memory is currently limited to 7500MT/s, AMD needs at least 8000MT/s to fully utilise the chip, plus it seems to be a 256-bit wide memory controller, I assume that could be an issue for LPCAMM2 modules.

 

[Rudyduu]

As a NUC type device it seems neat, but its certainly a very strange foray from a company focused on repairability and modularity into a market that already had it *and* with a product with a soldered cpu and ram...

It's a laptop SoC. Why would you expect it to be socketable? The RAM is on the SoC and is shared between the CPU and GPU. If it wasn't the performance would be a lot lower then it should be pointless.

The oddest thing about this is the fact that FW is charging $899 for their 385 Max board with 32GB LPDDR5X-8000, and $999 for their HX 370 board without RAM. I know the 370 board can fit in their laptop chassis (which FW wants a frankly absurd $660 extra for with 1880p screen), but, seriously? It doesn’t make a lot of sense past that.


In all, I’m disappointed with what Framework is turning into. When they came into the foray, they were SUPPOSED to be pioneers of the modular laptop, with the idea of keeping costs and e-waste low. They were SUPPOSED to become the mainstream, the new norm. Unfortunately, they’ve priced themselves into an Apple-esque niche.

Framework was never an budget choice. Their stuff has always been more expensive, but that's a cost I'll be happy to pay for repairability. Their pricing isn't anything like Apple. They aren't charging a premium price and then forcing you to buy their RAM and storage at outrageous prices.

This SoC isn't available in many other computers, because of it's costs. You don't have to buy it, you can buy from the other three people who are making something like this.

Until they can benefit from economies of scales like HP and Dell they won't be able to compete with their prices, but they will compete on keeping their stuff out of the dump.