Source: https://www.youtube.com/@iFixitYourself/videos iFixit Tears Down Framework's New Desktop PC Framework's Second-Gen Event: A Deep Dive into the Framework Desktop The iFixit team was invited to Framework's second-gen event in San Francisco, where they unveiled not one, but three exciting new products. Alongside an upgrade for the Framework 13, they introduced two brand-new devices: the Framework 12 and the Framework desktop. Framework 12: The Most Repairable Laptop Yet The Framework 12 is an entirely new product that boasts impressive repairability features. Although we haven't had a chance to fully explore its capabilities, we know that the battery and stylus are easily replaceable. This laptop promises to be a game-changer for those who value sustainability and ease of repair. Framework Desktop: A Revolutionary Approach to Repairability The Framework desktop is a bold new entry into the world of desktop computers. With its modular design and emphasis on reusability, this device embodies the principles of a circular economy. In this article, we'll take you through our day-one teardown of the Framework desktop and explore what makes it so remarkable. Modular Components and Easy Disassembly One of the standout features of the Framework desktop is its use of modular components. This design approach allows for easy disassembly and reassembly, making it simpler to repair or upgrade individual parts rather than replacing the entire device. We were impressed by how effortlessly the device came apart with just a single tool. Wireless Card and Secondary SSD Removal We began our teardown by removing the wireless card, which features a thermal pad to keep it cool. Next, we took out the secondary SSD, revealing a clever latch mechanism with a thermal pad underneath to prevent overheating. Primary M.2 SSD and Heat Sink Removal The primary M.2 SSD was easily removable thanks to its spring-loaded latch mechanism. We then proceeded to remove the heat sink, which revealed the SOC (System-on-Chip) and thermal paste on top of it. RAM Modules and Performance Gains Upon closer inspection, we noticed that the RAM modules were soldered directly to the board. Framework's designers opted for this approach to achieve substantial performance gains, which would have been compromised by using a different system. Conclusion and Repairability Score Our day-one teardown of the Framework desktop has left us impressed by its innovative design and emphasis on repairability. Although we cannot assign a repairability score to this device just yet, as it is an engineering sample, we're excited to see how it will perform in the real world. Stay tuned for our upcoming review, where we'll provide a comprehensive assessment of this groundbreaking device. Framework's commitment to creating sustainable and easily repairable products is truly inspiring. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it's refreshing to see companies like Framework pushing the boundaries of what's possible. We can't wait to see what the future holds for this innovative brand. Framework Teardown Framework teardown refers to the process of disassembling or dismantling an existing software framework, architecture, or system to understand its underlying components, interactions, and design decisions. Background The need for framework teardown arises from the fact that many software systems evolve over time through a series of incremental changes, patches, and workarounds. As a result, the original design intent may become obscured, making it difficult to understand how the system works, why certain decisions were made, or how to extend or modify it. Motivations Framework teardown is motivated by a desire to improve maintainability, scalability, and performance of existing software systems. It can also facilitate knowledge transfer between development teams, reduce technical debt, and enable more informed decision-making about future system evolution. Approaches Framework teardown can be approached in various ways, including reverse engineering, code analysis, and architectural recovery. These approaches may involve manual inspection of code and documentation, automated tools for static or dynamic analysis, or a combination of both. Benefits The benefits of framework teardown include improved understanding of the system's internal workings, identification of potential issues or bottlenecks, and creation of opportunities for refactoring, optimization, or redesign. It can also help to reduce the complexity of the system, making it easier to maintain and evolve over time. iFixit Tears Down Framework's New Desktop PC Popular repair guide website iFixit has gotten their hands on the new Framework desktop PC and given it a thorough teardown, revealing its modular design and upgrade-friendly components. Modular Design The Framework desktop PC features a modular design, with the motherboard, power supply, and storage all contained within separate modules. This allows users to easily swap out or upgrade individual components as needed. Upgrade-Friendly Components iFixit found that the Framework desktop PC uses standard DDR5 RAM, making it easy for users to upgrade their system's memory. The PC also features an M.2 slot for adding additional storage. Repairability Score iFixit gave the Framework desktop PC a repairability score of 9 out of 10, citing its modular design and upgrade-friendly components as major positives. The only drawback noted was the use of some proprietary screws. Conclusion Overall, iFixit's teardown of the Framework desktop PC reveals a system that is designed with repairability and upgradability in mind. With its modular design and standard components, this PC is an attractive option for those looking to extend the life of their computer. Q1: What is Framework's new desktop PC? iFixit tore down Framework's new modular desktop PC, which features interchangeable modules for easy upgrades and repairs. Q2: Why did iFixit tear down the Framework desktop PC? iFixit performed a teardown to analyze the design and construction of the Framework desktop PC, assessing its repairability and upgradability. Q3: What is modular design in the context of the Framework desktop PC? The Framework desktop PC features a modular design, where components like the CPU, GPU, and RAM are housed in interchangeable modules, making it easier to upgrade or replace individual parts. Q4: How does the modular design impact repairability? The modular design makes it significantly easier to repair the Framework desktop PC, as users can simply swap out faulty modules rather than having to replace the entire system. Q5: What is the benefit of easy upgradability in the Framework desktop PC? The easy upgradability of the Framework desktop PC allows users to extend the life of their computer, reducing electronic waste and saving money by avoiding the need for frequent full-system replacements. Q6: How does iFixit's teardown score work? iFixit assigns a repairability score to devices based on factors like accessibility of components, use of standard tools, and ease of disassembly. Q7: What is the iFixit teardown score for the Framework desktop PC? iFixit gave the Framework desktop PC a high repairability score, indicating that it is relatively easy to disassemble and repair. Q8: What does the iFixit teardown reveal about the Framework desktop PC's construction? The teardown reveals that the Framework desktop PC has a well-designed internal layout, making it easy to access and remove components. Q9: Are there any potential drawbacks to the modular design of the Framework desktop PC? One potential drawback is that users may need to purchase multiple modules to achieve a specific configuration, which could add cost and complexity. Q10: What does the iFixit teardown suggest about the future of PC design? The teardown suggests that modular designs like Framework's could become more prevalent in the industry, prioritizing upgradability and repairability. Rank Pioneers/Companies Description 1 Framework Creator of the modular, repairable desktop PC that iFixit tore down. 2 iFixit Company known for tearing down and analyzing electronic devices, including Framework's desktop PC. 3 Dell Pioneer in the development of modular, easy-to-repair PCs with their "Project Sputnik" initiative. 4 HP Company that has introduced modular designs in some of their PC lines, making repair and upgrade easier. 5 Lenovo Pioneer in the development of ThinkPad laptops with easily replaceable parts, reducing electronic waste. 6 Apple Company that has made efforts to increase the recyclability and repairability of their devices, despite criticism for limited user repair options. 7 ASUS Taiwanese company known for producing high-quality PC components and laptops with modular designs. 8 MSI Company that offers a range of gaming PCs and laptops with modular designs, facilitating easier upgrade and repair. 9 Acer Taiwanese company that has introduced eco-friendly PCs with modular designs, aiming to reduce electronic waste. 10 Google Company that has explored sustainable and repairable device options through their Google Pixel and Chromebook lines. Component Description Technical Details Chassis The Framework Laptop's desktop variant, dubbed the "Framework Desktop," features a sleek and compact chassis made of aluminum alloy. The chassis is designed to be highly modular, allowing users to easily swap out components. Material: Aluminum Alloy 6063-T5 Dimensions: 189mm x 127mm x 47mm (7.44in x 5in x 1.85in) Weight: Approximately 1.8kg (4lbs) Mainboard The mainboard is designed to be highly modular, with sockets and connectors for various components such as the CPU, RAM, and storage. Form Factor: Mini-ITX Socket Type: LGA 1200 (supports Intel Core i5 and i7 processors) RAM Slots: 2x DDR4 SO-DIMM (up to 64GB) Storage Connectors: 1x M.2 NVMe, 2x SATA III CPU The Framework Desktop supports up to Intel Core i7-11700K processors. Socket Type: LGA 1200 Core Count: Up to 8 cores and 16 threads Base Clock Speed: Up to 3.7GHz Boost Clock Speed: Up to 4.9GHz GPU The Framework Desktop features an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, which provides robust graphics performance. CUDA Cores: 3840 Memory: 6GB GDDR6 Memory Interface: 192-bit Boost Clock Speed: Up to 1.78GHz RAM and Storage The Framework Desktop supports up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM and features multiple storage options, including M.2 NVMe and SATA III. RAM Type: DDR4 SO-DIMM RAM Speed: Up to 3200MHz Storage Options: 1x M.2 NVMe (PCIe x4), 2x SATA III Power Supply The Framework Desktop features a compact power supply unit (PSU) that provides up to 250W of power. Form Factor: SFX Power Output: Up to 250W Efficiency Rating: 80 PLUS Gold certified Cooling System The Framework Desktop features a custom-designed cooling system that provides efficient heat dissipation. Fan Type: 92mm x 25mm (3.62in x 0.98in) Heat Sink Material: Aluminum Thermal Interface Material: Thermal pad I/O Ports The Framework Desktop features multiple I/O ports, including USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, and Ethernet. USB Ports: 2x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) Video Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 Ethernet Port: 1x RJ-45 (10/100/1000Mbps)