How do you expect anyone in the UK or EU to buy this?

Framework Desktop
21

I can somewhat get the frustration about the desktop not being the cheapest product on the market. It’s the same with the other Frame.Work products.

Personally I would love more affordable prices too - hopefully in the future with a bigger user base and larger numbers. Building this base simply takes time though.

There is so much outside of price that you can appreciate IMO:

  • additional thought that goes into their designs concerning repairability / upgradeability / modularity (sadly more restricted with the desktop, but they are very transparent with the reason why)
  • additional thought and development that went into the case, extension cards, tiles (that are purely cosmetic but still a nice touch) - heck… even 3D printable files and schematics of many parts published openly for the community to build on
  • DIY editions and easy to follow guides and tutorials that you simply don’t find with other vendors
  • supported and tested GNU/Linux based operating systems
  • option to bring your own components - for desktop primarily SSD (which is always cheaper and even recommended by the team iteself if you want to save money - as seen with other frame.work products)
  • completely refundable deposit, being able to cancel any time before shipping, 30 day return guarantee
  • track record of the team & company concerning warranty claims, transparency and trust
  • active community that gives support, exchanges ideas, further helps improve the whole ecosystem

It’s kinda obvious by now that they are not competing on price. That’s just not possible for them at this stage.

If it’s all about price it’s better you go with another product. Even the team openly suggests that. Not to agitate you. I’m sure they would love to be more affordable for everyone. They are working hard towards that goal. It simply will take them more time realistically.

1 Like
22

Regional price discrimination, like the same video games cost less in some regions and more in other regions

23

That is what got my pre-order.

I’ve been annoyed by the heat and noise of gaming PCs for many years, getting to silly levels with the recent GPU gen.

Seeing the framework desktop barely spinning the fan sold me…

I’m after an efficient and quiet AA gaming box and see AI as a bonus feature. The FW desktop ticked all boxes :slight_smile:

1 Like
24

Some test results of the GMK product. In Chinese but with English subtitles

25

Something isn’t quite right with the Geekbench multicore score of the EVO-X2…it’s substantially lower than the Z13.

Asus Flow Z13: https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/search?utf8=✓&q=395%20z13&sort=multicore_score

EVO-X2: 395 gmktec - Geekbench 6 CPU Search - Geekbench

HP ZBook Ultra G1a: 395 g1a - Geekbench 6 CPU Search - Geekbench

For a desktop, it really ought to perform higher than 22000 in Geekbench CPU.

Edit: Looking closer at the video, it seems to show the unit was only able to sustain just shy of 94w So, likely that’s a bottle neck with the cooling.

So, base on that, AI or no AI compute, the EVO-X2’s performance is rather sub-par.

Even my 2 year-old laptop has a higher Cinebench scores (in r23 and 2024) than that shown in the video.

Let’s focus on what the Framework Desktop and the HP Z2 Mini G1a can do in the coming weeks / months.

3 Likes
26

is the io between the desktop and gmk the same?

27

No, but then, two ports are flexible for the Framework Desktop, you can make them all sorts of things. The key stuff is the same, like 2 USB4 ports.

28

There is a PCIE 4x4 on the Framework MB that is unused in their case. This is why their desktop case is problematic to begin with. You could a) oculink or b) 10GB ethernet there…

29

It’s it practical to solder a socket and use it anyway?

30

The socket is there, the case just doesn’t have any room for a PCIe card and the ATX power connector will also block larger cards.

But if you buy another case, and a riser card, you can make use of the slot.

1 Like
31

the spec of the EVO-X2 give:

Alimentation – Chargeur CC 19,5 V, 11,8 A (~ 230,1 W)

with only 230W max it is not the same has what the FW desktop can do:

We recommend a 500W or higher ATX, SFX, or FlexATX power supply to handle maximum peak load, though continuous load will stay under 350W.

In my case with a old Ryzen 5950 CPU with 105 TDP and PBO active I can draw >300W so I think that a 230W is too low for full Max power. :crossed_fingers:

32

There’s another Strix Halo option:

1 Like
33

Many new options, coming to market as expected…

Thermalright - Are show water cooled Srtix Halo mini desktops. Several versions. Linky

Also

BosgamePc - Show pre order for Strix Halo mini Pc 128GB version Linky

Keeping my Uk pre-order at the moment. :winking_face_with_tongue:

1 Like
34

Still no socketed RAM

35

Framework said AMD tried to come up with socketed RAM approach for Strix Halo, but couldn’t. If AMD itself couldn’t, there will not be any socketed RAM systems with this chip.

36

I really hope they figure that out for the next iteration. Great chip but soldered memory is a deal-breaker for me.

Not getting anything new before at least zen6 anyway, hope they got it figured out by then XD.