Framework’s AMD Strix Halo-powered PC is now up for pre order, and it’s selling out faster than expected
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Framework has stepped up from selling traditional 2-in-1 laptops, and for the past two years, the company has been working hard to enter the desktop PC space with the same DIY approach that inspired the Framework Laptop lineup. Now, it’s joining the party with a mini desktop PC powered by AMD's new “Strix Halo” Ryzen AI Max processors, which, if you aren't aware, offer integrated graphics performance on par with Nvidia's dedicated RTX 4070 laptop GPU.
That alone makes for a strong value proposition, but it gets even better. These Strix Halo processors can allocate up to 96GB of memory as VRAM on Windows, while Linux users can push that up to 110GB. This makes them a game-changer for those working with AI workloads. To put it into perspective, an equivalent Mac Studio with 128GB of memory would cost a staggering $5000, while Framework's top-end offering comes in at just $2000.
These mini-PCs are selling fast
With such strong performance at half the price of other market alternatives, it's no surprise that everyone is rushing to get their hands on this Framework mini PC. The system comes in different variations. The base model with an 8-core Ryzen AI Max 385 ships with 32GB of memory for $1099, while the top-end version features AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and a massive 128GB of memory for $1999.
This high-end model is what most people are going for, as Framework has already cleared out four batches in less than 24 hours. The fifth batch is now live for pre-order, with shipping set to begin in early Q3. Framework’s founder, Nirav Patel, shared that when he first saw the monster performance of AMD's Ryzen AI Max a year ago, he immediately knew they had to use it, and that decision seems to have paid off.
“This is an absolute monster of a processor, and we shifted our roadmap a year ago to make space for it.”
Nirav Patel, Framework founder
A major win for DIY PC builders
Since it's Framework we're talking about, DIY PC builders were bound to get something big, and this time, Framework is selling standalone Ryzen AI Max mainboards. This marks the world's first standalone Ryzen AI Max mainboard that you can drop into any compatible case of your choice. They start at $799, and pre-orders are live now.
Even if you pick the Framework PC, you can choose your own storage drives and even your operating system, with official support for Windows 11 alongside Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora, as well as gaming-focused options like Bazzite and Playtron. This makes the Framework Desktop a perfect choice for anyone looking to set up a dedicated Steam Machine powered by SteamOS or Bazzite or to run your local instance of DeepSeek.
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