Today the review embargo lifts on the much anticipated Framework Desktop computer powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max 300 Series “Strix Halo” SoCs. Aside from offering an enclosure to allow old Framework motherboards to be re-tasked as a makeshift desktop computer, the Framework Desktop is the company’s first dedicated desktop computer offering and it’s very impressive in building around the Ryzen AI Max “Strix Halo” platform. Here is a look at the Framework Desktop with initial testing under Linux and a wide assortment of benchmarks.
The Framework Desktop can handle standard PC parts while being sized within a 4.5L enclosure. The Framework Desktop chassis measures in at 96.8 x 205.5 x 226.1 mm as a very small form factor (SFF) PC. As with the Framework Laptops over the past several years, the Framework Desktop is big on modularity and user customizations.
This thing is small, very small. Here’s an obligatory Maß size comparison for what came to mind as the closest comparison:
Among the customizations are a choice of 120mm cooling fans for the SoC whether it be different color Cooler Master options or the wonderful Noctua NF-A12x25 fan. There is also options of translucent or black side panels, a carrying handle for the Framework Desktop if you will need to be transporting it frequently, and different front I/O port options from USB-C to USB-A, micro SD / SD, Ethernet, audio, and more just like with the modular I/O ports via expansion cards on Framework Laptops.
So far the only desktop motherboard being offered for the Framework Desktop is based around the AMD Ryzen AI Max “Strix Halo” with options of either the 8-core AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 with 32GB of RAM, 16-core AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with 64GB of RAM, and the 16-core AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with 128GB of RAM. That leads to one of the non-modular options with the Framework Desktop using Strix Halo: the RAM isn’t replaceable. Due to constraints of Strix Halo, the RAM is soldered and can’t be replaced by the user. 64GB~128GB of RAM is certainly sufficient for most users but just a limitation to be aware of for those used to Framework devices having replaceable RAM.
Besides the choice of Ryzen AI Max options, there are two M.2 2280 SSD slots with the Framework Desktop for offering plenty of replaceable storage options. Users can pick from having no OS pre-installed or having Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. Modern Linux distributions do work on the Framework Desktop with AMD Ryzen AI Max as we are about to show in this review.
On the front of the Framework Desktop are 21 tiles that can be customized to change the physical appearance of the computer. Nice for personalization. Many of the tiles still have vents for allowing sufficient airflow. While I am not as much for aesthetic concerns and more about thermal/power/performance, my five year old son really loved the tiles with the ease of changing them out and provided him entertainment for constantly changing the tiles while I worked. Win, win?
For the past few months we have already been doing a lot of AMD Ryzen AI Max “Strix Halo” Linux benchmarking using the HP ZBook Ultra G1a laptops. The Linux support situation with the Framework Desktop is basically the same, aside from not needing to worry about web camera compatibility with the desktop (obviously not having one…). If you are on a modern 2025 Linux distribution like Fedora 42, Ubuntu 25.04, or Arch Linux / Cachy OS, you should be in good shape for the Framework Desktop support.
The main item to consider is just being on a Linux distribution with a recent Linux 6.1x kernel and Mesa 25.x for the latest graphics support for the RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics found with these Ryzen AI Max SoCs. For my testing so far I was primarily using Ubuntu 25.04 and it was a great experience with its default packages.
