I'm glad I didn't invest in Framework.

Summary

The Framework Desktop marks the company’s first entry into the desktop PC market, building on its reputation for repairable, customizable, and upgradeable laptops. Despite some initial controversy, the desktop’s compact design, powerful specs (including 128GB of RAM, 16-core AMD Ryzen, and 40 RDNA GPU cores), and customizable I/O modules make it a strong contender for AI, gaming, and productivity tasks. The video explores its assembly, performance, and unique features like optional power cables and modular tiles for personalization. While some quirks, like soldered memory, exist, the overall performance and design impress, positioning Framework as a strong player in the desktop market.

Takeaways

• 😀 Framework has been successful with its repairable, serviceable, and upgradeable laptops, but its new desktop has generated a lot of controversy.
• 🛠️ The Framework Desktop is sold as a barebones system, allowing customers to customize their components, like SSDs and I/O modules.
• ⚙️ Assembly of the Framework Desktop requires some effort, but it is not overly complex. Currently, fully assembled units are not available for purchase.
• 🔧 Framework includes helpful tools in the box, such as a screwdriver and stickers, which enhance the user experience compared to competitors like Apple.
• 💾 The system is highly spec'd with 128GB of RAM, AMD Ryzen Zen 5 processor with 16 cores, and RDNA 3.5 GPU cores for excellent performance in demanding tasks.
• 📐 The compact design of the 4.5L chassis includes multiple I/O options, such as HDMI 2.1, USB 4 Type-C ports, Display Port, and Ethernet.
• 🔒 Framework’s modular approach allows for customization with different I/O modules, including options to personalize the look of the system using tiles.
• 🎮 The desktop is capable of high-performance gaming, achieving over 100 FPS in 1440p gaming benchmarks, even in demanding titles like Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike 2.
• 🖥️ The system’s flexibility extends to its usage for AI tasks, particularly for running large language models (LLMs), showing significant advantages over competing systems.
• 💰 The Framework Desktop starts at around $2,000, and pricing can reach nearly $3,000 after adding storage, power supply, and Windows licenses, which can be considered expensive for some buyers.

Q & A

What makes Framework’s approach to laptops and desktops unique?

Framework focuses on creating repairable, serviceable, and upgradeable laptops and desktops. While not a new concept, they have successfully implemented it, offering customizable IO modules and easily replaceable components, making it a standout in the industry.

What is the main controversy surrounding the Framework Desktop?

The Framework Desktop has sparked controversy primarily due to its design choices, such as the use of soldered RAM, a closed-back PCIe slot, and its overall pricing structure. Some users also question the decision not to include a power cable and the system's limitations regarding GPU upgrades.

What components are included in the Framework Desktop's base configuration?

The Framework Desktop can be purchased as a barebones system, meaning it doesn’t come with storage or memory by default. The reviewer customized their system with two 4TB Gen 4 SSDs, 128GB of RAM, an AMD Ryzen Zen 5 CPU with 16 cores, and an RDNA 3.5 GPU.

How does the Framework Desktop's IO customization work?

Like Framework’s laptops, the Desktop allows users to customize the IO ports using modules. The system comes with various IO options such as USB 4, DisplayPort, HDMI, and Ethernet ports, which can be swapped to meet the user’s needs.

Why did the reviewer find the Framework Desktop build process relatively easy?

The reviewer was surprised by how simple the build process was, as it only required installing a few components, such as the CPU cooler, memory, and SSDs. Despite being a barebones system, the assembly was straightforward, especially compared to other custom PC builds.

What are some of the performance benchmarks for the Framework Desktop?

The Framework Desktop showed impressive performance in various tests, such as scoring 61,000 points in PassMark, which is comparable to high-end processors like the 9950X. For GPU, it scored almost 23,000 points in 3D benchmarks, placing it near cards like the 5060Ti or 4060Ti.

What are the advantages of the Framework Desktop for gaming and AI tasks?

For gaming, the Framework Desktop offers high frame rates, reaching 100-120 FPS in games like Arc Raiders at 1440p. For AI tasks, it performs exceptionally well due to its high RAM and GPU configuration, particularly for LLM (Large Language Models) processing, where it outperforms many other systems in terms of processing speed and efficiency.

What is the issue with the Framework Desktop’s soldered memory?

One of the most common complaints about the Framework Desktop is the use of soldered RAM. This decision is due to the limitations of the AMD Ryzen CPU, which does not support socketed memory. While it offers fast performance, the lack of upgradeability for the RAM is a concern for some users.

What role does the Framework Desktop play in AI model processing?

The Framework Desktop excels in running AI models, especially when using the AMD Rockm library on Linux. With up to 128GB of RAM dedicated to AI tasks and high GPU performance, it is capable of handling demanding models, such as the 120 billion parameter OpenAI model, with impressive processing speeds.

What improvements or changes could Framework make for future versions of the Desktop?

Future versions of the Framework Desktop could potentially include socketed memory for more flexibility, or a different CPU that supports this feature. Additionally, an upgrade to include a more versatile PCIe slot and possibly include a better cooling system could enhance the system’s overall performance and expandability.