Review: Framework Desktop

The Framework laptops did something no other laptop could. With the ability to upgrade or swap out nearly every internal component, they are sustainable, unlike any other.

But the Framework Desktop isn’t so unique. After all, one of the primary reasons people buy (or build) desktop PCs is the ability to upgrade the system on their own. This 4.5-liter mini-ITX PC isn’t so different from many of the compact PCs you can already buy. And yet, Framework’s distinctive approach makes this stand out.

Framework’s Small Form Factor

Photograph: Luke Larsen

The Framework Desktop is adorable. It’s a mini-ITX desktop, but one that truly resembles a tiny version of a full-size tower. Unlike some sleeker mini-ITX cases with more adventurous designs, the Framework Desktop needs to be fully accessible, which is part of what makes it unique. Mini-ITX systems are notoriously difficult to upgrade and work around due to the limited space available. And while it’s tight compared to upgrading a Framework Laptop 13, the Framework Desktop delivers a fully customizable and upgradable system in a small form factor.

At 3.81 x 8.09 x 8.90 inches, it has a tiny footprint on your desk. That’s quite small, even for a small-form-factor build. Notably, it’s far too compact to squeeze a standard external GPU inside. Even something like the extra-small Jonsbo NV10 can squeez in only a low-profile graphics card. That’ll be important later when we talk about performance expectations, as the Framework Desktop is not necessarily meant to be a replacement for a full-fledged gaming PC. Then again, call me crazy, but I'd gladly take the light-hearted tile system that clicks into the front cover grid over another dose of overdone RGB lighting.

The Framework Desktop comes mostly assembled, excluding a couple of components that you’ll need to install yourself. You’ll choose SSDs for one or both of the two M.2 slots, which range from 500 GB up to 8 TB. Framework sells WD Black models, but as with the Framework Laptop, you can always opt to buy without an SSD and use your own. The same is true for the CPU fan. You’re given the option to choose from a Noctua or Cooler Master fan, but because Framework uses off-the-shelf parts, you can bring your own 120-mm fan. If you choose this option, Framework will throw in a fan mounting kit to make it all work.

Photograph: Luke Larsen

You can access these components by removing the top and side panels. The top panel has a couple of thumb screws that hold it in place. Once you have that off, the perforated side panel slides out pretty easily. The way these two panels fit together is clumsy, and it took me a number of attempts to get them back in place. It’s not quite as smooth as on the Framework Laptop 12, for example, which is completely toolless.

The ports on the back include two DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, an RJ45 Ethernet jack, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and a 3.5-mm headphone jack. It’s a little strange to have the headphone jack in the back instead of in front. But that’s where the Expansion Cards come into play. Like the Framework Laptop, the Framework Desktop can swap out ports, depending on your needs, but only the two in the front. You can do USB-C or USB-A or, if you’re like me, you’d want a forward-facing SD card slot. So, while it’s not as impactful as it is on a laptop, it remains a useful feature nonetheless.

No Discrete GPU Needed

Photograph: Luke Larsen

The Framework Desktop is based around its CPU, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395. It’s an interesting and innovative chip, featured in only a couple of products this year so far. Not only does it have 16 Zen 5 CPU cores, it also comes with a massive integrated GPU, the Radeon 8060S. It has 40 GPU cores, making it one of the most powerful integrated GPUs ever made. I’ve tested this chip once before in the Asus ROG Flow Z13, a 2-in-1 gaming tablet, and I was impressed by it at the time. But I’ve never tested it on a more capable system.

In 3DMark Steel Nomad, a popular graphics benchmark, the Framework Desktop performed 13 percent faster than on the ROG Flow Z13. That’s with both systems set at the Best Performance mode, too. It’s still 32 percent behind the latest generation of desktop GPUs, such as the RTX 5060, but that’s to be expected. The closest comparable discrete GPU is the Laptop RTX 4060. While that’s not exciting for PC gamers, remember: these are integrated graphics. The only integrated graphics performance that comes close is on Apple’s side with the M4 chips.

I tried out some modern games, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Marvel Rivals, and was thoroughly impressed by how well they performed. I was surprised to find that I could play Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p and Ultra settings without any upscaling yet still achieve an average of 84 frames per second. You can easily venture into higher resolutions and even ray tracing if you use AMD's image upscaling settings or even frame generation. Lighter games like Marvel Rivals play without missing a beat.

The RAM is not removable due to the nature of the chip, though it does come in large-capacity options. The base model has 32 GB, while my configuration came with 64 GB. There’s a 128 GB option, which is important for anyone looking to work with local large language models or other AI projects. The neural processing unit inside is capable of over 50 TOPS, and Framework claims it can run large language AI models like Llama 3 70B locally in real time, specifically on the 128-GB model that gives the GPU 96 GB of VRAM to work with.

A Niche of a Niche

Photograph: Luke Larsen

Framework laptops were already nice, but the Framework Desktop is perhaps the most niche product the company has launched so far. The benefits of choosing the Framework Desktop over any other desktop out there have less to do with what makes the Framework ethos so unique. There are even smaller options, such as the Corsair AI Workstation 300, which is slightly taller but not as deep. They are similarly priced, though Corsair is selling only the higher-end option with 128 GB of RAM.

On the other hand, the Framework Desktop is an awesome middle ground between the compact nature of a mini-PC and the performance and upgradability of a true small-form-factor PC. I don’t like that you can’t upgrade the RAM, and I wish the side panels were easier to install. I do have concerns about the CPU inside, too. While it performs great, a lot depends on AMD continuing to support this somewhat specialized component. Framework hasn’t let me down thus far, but its previous computers have used more standard parts. But by now, the company has earned some trust from me.

For AI enthusiasts hoping to run local LLMs, the Framework Desktop is a shoo-in, especially with all the available memory. But it's also a decent option for those who want a compact PC that doesn't completely forfeit performance or upgradability.