Can I beat the Framework Desktop price-wise?

I’m considering building a PC for workloads like compiling large low-level projects (OS kernels, GCC/compiler toolchains) and FPGA synthesis workloads and simulations. While a lot of my workloads aren’t very multithreaded I’m especially interested in a high(ish) core count machine so that I can run multiple simulations in parallel.

Looking at the Framework Desktop, I can get 128GB of RAM and a 16c/32t CPU for around $2k (I already have an SSD I can just throw into this), as opposed to building my own, with current RAM prices I would be paying $2000 for the CPU and RAM alone if I was going with a 9950X/9950X3D for that core count.

Can anyone here think of some config of desktop to put together that’s around ~$2k that would beat the Framework Desktop in high RAM and CPU demands? It’s just counterintuitive that such a small highly power efficient system is also, as far as I can tell, by far the best performance per dollar I can get right now.

Thanks!

With current RAM prices, no way. Back when you could get a 2x64GB 6000MT/s kit for €500 (or even 5600MT/s for €300!) you could build something competitive for cheaper. The self-built system would still have lower memory bandwidth (relevant for some workloads) but in exchange have expandability and upgradeability.