Framework Let Us in for an Early Teardown of the Refreshingly Open Framework Desktop

We got to see the new Framework Desktop at the Framework 2nd Gen event in San Francisco. They invited us back to HQ to get our hands on it, and you know what that means—it’s teardown time. Framework has been a beacon of repairability in the laptop space, and now they’re bringing that ethos to desktops.

But this isn’t just any PC—it’s an AI powerhouse in a modular, repairable form factor. It’s built to handle massive AI models, high-performance gaming (for an APU at least), and standard PC workloads. Though the small form factor AI PC world is pretty small still, this machine is the most future-proof and open entry we’ve seen in the space.

Framework’s Philosophy in a Desktop Form Factor

If you’ve followed Framework’s journey, you know they’ve been laser-focused on repairability, upgradability, and sustainability. This desktop is no exception. Built on open PC standards, it features tool-free panels, standard connectors, and off-the-shelf components wherever possible. That means easy disassembly, stress-free upgrades, and a machine built to last.

Before we even touched a screwdriver, we were already impressed. The case panels? Thumbscrews and magnets. The cooling? A Noctua (or Cooler Master) fan, but swappable with any 120mm fan. Storage? M.2 SSDs, both easily accessible. This is the kind of thoughtful design we wish every gadget had.

But Aren’t PCs Already Modular and Repairable?

It’s true that desktops have long been more repairable than laptops. Standardized components like ATX motherboards, PCIe expansion slots, and off-the-shelf storage mean most DIY builders can swap out parts easily. But Framework’s entry has tool-free panels, a modular I/O system, and a focus on repairability—within the technical constraints of the machine’s AI-powering design. We’re expecting to see Framework-style high-quality repair documentation by the time the hardware ships. Plus, with brands increasingly locking down firmware and BIOS settings (and forcing privacy-invasive “features” on users meanwhile), Framework’s commitment to open hardware is a breath of fresh air.

AI and Gaming: A Powerhouse on Your Desk

The Framework Desktop isn’t just modular and repairable—it’s an AI machine that also promises gaming performance. At its core is the AMD Ryzen AI Max, an advanced processor with an integrated Radeon 8060S GPU that delivers discrete-class graphics performance. This isn’t just marketing talk—with up to 96GB of memory dedicated to the GPU, this machine can handle massive AI models locally, running large-scale LLMs like Llama 3.3 70B in real time. Out of the box, Ollama, llama.cpp, and other open-source tools run seamlessly on Windows and Linux, supporting Meta’s Llama, Nous’ Hermes, DeepSeek, and other cutting-edge models.

On the gaming side, high-performance Radeon graphics ensure smooth performance in modern games. The compact Mini-ITX form factor allows for dense builds, making it a great choice for rackmount clustering—and impressively affordably.

The Teardown: Smooth Sailing With a Few Twists

Taking this thing apart was exactly as easy as we’ve come to expect from Framework. They brought us to their HQ to rip into it, and from the very first step, it was clear: this desktop was designed to be opened. 

The panels popped right off—we could see nearly all the components inside before we had to touch a screwdriver. The Noctua fan and both M.2 SSDs were easily accessible, requiring just a few screws to remove.

We were glad to see two Framework-signature expansion cards on the bottom, with USB-C attachments. Like their laptops, the Framework Desktop lets you swap I/O cards at will, giving you the flexibility to choose the ports that work best for you.

The main board was held in by four screws—we ran into a slight snag with the front I/O panel, but once we took that off, too, motherboard removal was as painless as the rest. 

The Big Question: Why Is the RAM Soldered?

We know what you’re thinking. “Framework? Soldered RAM? What’s going on?” And yeah, we asked the same thing.

Framework CEO Nirav Patel explained at the event that they worked closely with AMD, trying to figure out how to make modular LPCAMM memory work with their desired specs. He explained further in a Linus Tech Tips interview:

“So we did actually ask AMD about this the first time they told us about Strix Halo. It was literally our first question: ‘How do we get modular memory? We are Framework after all.’ And they didn’t say no actually, they did assign one of their technical architects to really really go deep on this—they ran simulations, they ran studies, and they just determined it’s not possible with Strix Halo to do LPCAMM. The signal integrity doesn’t work out because of how that memory’s fanning out over the 256-bit bus.”

In short: detachable RAM would have tanked performance—potentially cutting bandwidth in half. Framework prides itself on repairability, but they weren’t willing to compromise speed to get it. We respect that level of transparency.

Final Thoughts: A New Era for Repairable Desktops

The Framework Desktop is an exciting step forward. It’s a true open-standard PC with modularity baked in. Sure, the soldered RAM isn’t ideal, but everything else is designed to be repaired and upgraded—just as it should be.

We can’t assign a repairability score yet, since this was an engineering sample, but rest assured—we will once we get our hands on the final version. If Framework keeps this level of accessibility intact, we expect a very high score.

For now, we’re just excited to see what’s next. With Framework pushing the industry forward, maybe we’ll someday see a world where every gadget is this repairable.