The desktop market has an adorable but confusing new entrant—the Framework Desktop modular PC. Framework is known for its modular laptops already, and it has built up a very good reputation for itself in this regard. Taking matters one step further to reach the modular PC community, the Framework Desktop is a new tiny 4.5L mini-ITX system that is compact but still relatively powerful.
A key feature detail to note with this release is that the Framework Desktop utilizes the Ryzen AI Max processors from AMD. The processor possesses “16 CPU cores at 5.1GHz boost clock, discrete-level Radeon 8060S graphics, and support for up to an insane 128GB of unified LPDDR5x.” Managing to pack so much power into such a compact form is enough reason for the Framework Desktop modular PC to exist if you ask us.
Are you interested in the small form factor PC for your next purchase in 2025?
Image credit: Framework. The Framework Desktop Modular PC looks great but we’re not sure who the target audience for the device is.
What is the Framework Desktop Modular PC That Has Everyone Talking?
The Framework Desktop is a new 4.5-liter mini ITX gaming PC that offers users the opportunity to customize their build, albeit in a more limited fashion than traditional self-build systems. Based on the details revealed by the company, the Framework Desktop is powered by the Ryzen AI Max “Strix Halo” chips by AMD and features a Radeon 8060S integrated GPU that should allow it to support the load of 1440p gaming as well as advanced AI activity.
Framework explained that it was unable to provide users with the option of replaceable memory options of the system due to requirements of the Ryzen AI 300 chip, which means that the LPDDR5x RAM in this PC is soldered in place.
This eliminates some of the control users have over their build, and the founder of the company, Nirav Patel acknowledged this shortcoming openly. In the blog post announcing the release, the company stated that due to the limitations of this factor, the company has been “deliberate in making memory pricing more reasonable.” As a result, the top-end Ryzen AI Max+ 395 configuration with 128GB of memory will be priced at just $1999 USD. This is still far cheaper than the Apple Mac Mini.
What Are the Expected Specs of the Framework Desktop Modular PC?
While the soldered RAM is a bit of a disappointment, there are other areas of customizability that users can look forward to, with build components that meet existing standards. The motherboard follows the standard mini-ITX form factor with ATX headers and a PCIe x4 slot. It also showcases the standard rear input/output slots you would expect and mentions two USB4 ports and two DisplayPort slots, as well as an HDMI and a 5-gigabit Ethernet port.
The semi-custom 400W power supply uses the standard Flex ATX form factor and you also have 120mm CPU fans with its thermal system that can be swapped out. It also boasts ample storage expansion of up to 16TB with the two PCIe NVME M.2 2280 slots and connectivity to Wi-Fi 7.
Image: The mini-ITX system is one of the most interesting modular desktop PCs we’ve seen so far in 2025.
The Framework Desktop Mini PC Also Allows for Design Customizations
The front panel features 21 customizable, 3D-printable square tiles that can be swapped out to sit in a style that best suits you. If you have a 3D printer at your disposal, you can also print your own tiles to make the design of your build more appealing to you.
Our GitHub repo with open source CAD for Framework Desktop is already up so that you can start designing Tiles. We also included full mechanical drawings of the Mainboard for case builders. We’ll be adding much more as we go! pic.twitter.com/ZcBSH0pdCl
— Framework (@FrameworkPuter) February 26, 2025
The two slots on the front are for the same expansion cards you see in the Framework laptops. You can also pick between plain black side panels or elect to use translucent ones for a more gamer-centric style. There’s also an RGB fan and an optional carrying handle in the mix if that is something you’d like to see,
What is the Framework PC Priced At?
The Framework Desktop’s modular PC system is not inexpensive but it is reasonably priced at $1,099 for an eight-core Ryzen AI Max 385 with 32GB of RAM. This is the base offering but for a sixteen-core Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with 128GB of memory, you’ll have to pay $1,999. If you want to run AI locally, this 128GB version is your best bet.
Want something that falls in the middle? Framework also has a build that offers the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip and 64GB of RAM for $1,599.
If you just want to purchase the Mainboard for your own build, that is possible as well, priced at $799. Note that the Framework Desktop is only open for pre-orders now and will only begin shipping in Q3 2025.
Image: For something so small, it does pack quite a bit in.
Why Did the Framework Desktop Release In the First Place?
Framework began its business by taking the customizability of PCs and offering it to laptops, which were far harder to customize according to a user’s preferences. The decision to then go back to the Framework Desktop’s modular PC format appeared a backward choice, but according to the company, this was a much-needed move.
“You can build, upgrade, repair, and personalize to the limits of your imagination (and budget, and desk space), and share your amazing creations with all of the other true believers. We want to make this space as accessible as we possibly can by building a desktop that is simultaneously small and simple and incredibly powerful and customizable,” it explained in its blog post.
This is genuinely a super awesome system from Framework, pretty much the same “unified memory” promise of Apple silicon but on windows/linux with much much cheaper prices pic.twitter.com/BgXqblfuig
— 🅶🅰🅼🅴🆂🆃🆄🅵🅵🆂 🎮 (@RouaniJihad) February 25, 2025
Hello from the @bazzite_gg booth at @FrameworkPuter‘s 2.0 Launch event! It was so great meeting everyone here.
I am beyond excited for the future of Framework and the new Framework Desktop. This thing is the gaming console I have always dreamed of, and then some. pic.twitter.com/lT0rmiz7A9
— Kyle Gospodnetich (@kylegospo) February 26, 2025
Framework stated that it wanted people outside of the PC-building culture to get a shot at building up their own system and enjoying the culture first-hand, with a more budget-friendly alternative, in a compact form. Is this the target audience and will they be interested in such a product to begin with? That remains to be seen. While there is considerable excitement around the devices, there is also confusion about the aim of the product and its odd level of upgradability.
This Framework desktop is certainly a bit of a weird device, it’s not entirely clear to me who it’s actually being marketed towards. I don’t think it’s bad but I’m just kind of confused.
— Brodie Robertson (@BrodieOnLinux) February 26, 2025
Is Framework’s Modular Desktop PC Worth Buying in 2025?
If you like building right from scratch and don’t like the sound of the soldered-in RAM and the inability to add a dedicated GPU, then no, the Framework Desktop modular PC is not for you. But if you can ignore that detail, there is a lot to like about this mini-ITX system. It promises to be powerful enough for 1440p gaming and should survive the AI grind you put it through.
Framework Desktop is interesting but it appears Nvidia’s Project DIGITS will have the slightly superior memory bandwidth, includes ConnectX networking out of the box, and no AMD software annoyances.
Cost:
$3k for Digits
$2k for Framework
I’ll take the DIGITS but it’s close. pic.twitter.com/t2OHCbCYc9
— Nathan Odle (@mov_axbx) February 26, 2025
The ports, the power, and the price are all reasonable and there is enough room to continue customizing your build, whether in terms of its appearance or capability. Framework seems to know that this will be a niche item, even within the tech builder community, but it is a commendable product nonetheless.
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