With its desktop, Framework wants to compete with the Mac Studio and the Nvidia Digits
Framework, the Californian startup that offers scalable and customizable laptops like Fairphone on mobile phones, has just announced its first desktop computer with the same philosophy.
A mini-itx standard box
For its desktop, Framework opts for a motherboard in mini-itx format, a well-known format in the PC universe which already enjoys a well-established ecosystem. The desktop case therefore encompasses this Riquiqui motherboard (14 cm side) for a total volume of 4.5 L. In comparison, a Mac Mini M4 offers 0.8 L of volume.
The motherboard uses the Mini-ITX standard. © Framework
Obviously, the desktop housing is customizable in desire with 21 locations on the front for various and varied tiles: color, logo or even 3D printed. On the lower part, two locations accommodate the expansion modules inaugurated with the laptop 13 which allow you to personalize the connectors. The side panels are not to be outdone since an option for a translucent panel is also present.
The facade is made up of 21 customizable tiles. © Numériques
The power supply also uses a standard, the 400 W Flex-ATX to power the set in 230 V mode, it is silver certified.
Scalable, but not too much
Inside, Framework opts for new AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 (8c/16T) and 395 (16C/32T) processors. With this choice, Framework is forced to make a big compromise on scalability since the LPDDR5X RAM is welded to the motherboard. However, it will be possible to opt for 32, 64 or 128 GB of RAM.
The graphic part is therefore ensured by the processor which embeds either a Radeon 8050S (32 cores RDNA 3.5) for the Ryzen AI Max 385, or a Radeon 8060s (40 cores RDNA 3.5) for the Ryzen Ai Max+ 395. In this configuration, L 'APU D'AMD is capable of competing with a GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile in its least versions efficient. If you thought you could add a dedicated graphics card, forget this idea, the motherboard having devoid of Port Pcie.
Regarding storage, you can count on two NVME locations and therefore install a maximum of 16 TB of storage.
Fleed view of the Desktop framework. © Numériques
The cooling system is also customizable with the possibility of choosing your fan. Framework announces that it has worked with AMD, Cooler Master and Noctua to maintain the AMD APU in the cool, especially since the latter is capable of reaching almost 120 W of consumption.
The desktop framework is even rackable
Framework does not only target the general public since with 128 GB of RAM, Windows and Linux compatibility, the startup hopes that its desktop will be adopted by small and medium -sized enterprises to execute AI models thanks to the quantity of memory Long live available.
It is possible to rack up to 4 desktop framework. © Framework
Framework does not hesitate to compare his desktop to the Apple studio or just announced Digits de Nvidia. Especially since it is possible to aggregate up to four desktop framework to execute the most strong AI models locally.
The Desktop framework is already ordered for availability for the third quarter. Its price spreads from 1279 to 2329 €, it will be necessary to add a storage unit, 21 tiles and 2 ports on the front for an additional cost of € 135 with an SSD of 512 GB.
