Modular laptop maker Framework CEO Nirav Patel has said that he wants to provide "the Holy Grail to gamers" with the Framework Laptop 16. In 2023, he also said that this will be the first consumer notebook with truly replaceable and upgradeable graphics cards like a desktop PC. At that time, foreign media The Verge was skeptical because the last time someone drew up a similar vision, it ended in litigation and arbitration.
However, now, about 18 months after the release of Framework Laptop 16, the company has done something that no other laptop manufacturer has ever achieved: it has launched a new and more powerful independent graphics module (Nvidia RTX 5070 8GB module) that users can easily install into their existing laptops.
Previously, due to AMD's withdrawal from the current generation mobile graphics card market, many people were worried that this product that emphasized upgradability would stagnate. Now, the company has only one choice - to switch to Nvidia.
In 2024, this notebook was initially equipped with an optional AMD Radeon RX 7700S graphics card module, and worked with AMD to achieve the promise of "future upgradeability" through a clever expansion bay system. Now, NVIDIA has also officially joined. You can buy a mobile GeForce RTX 5070 8GB module and replace it in just two minutes.
Yes, users can even switch freely between AMD and Nvidia. Framework said there is no final performance data yet, but it expects the RTX 5070 to improve performance by about 30% to 40% compared to the AMD 7700S. It also uses redesigned fan blades and Honeywell PTM7950 phase change thermal material, and the overall heat dissipation solution has also been upgraded.
Like the 7700S, the continuous power consumption and heat dissipation capacity of the new 5070 module is locked at 100W - although it is not as good as high-end heavy gaming laptops, it is more than many thin and light models.
Framework CEO Patel told foreign media The Verge that it would not be difficult to convince Nvidia to join. Framework began working with Nvidia in early 2024, shortly after Framework 16 shipped
He recalled: "Nvidia saw the success of the company and realized that we were an emerging manufacturer worth working with. The success of the product allowed us to cross that hurdle." The truth is that they have not encountered insurmountable obstacles, and today's announcement is not just about the Nvidia 5070 upgrade.
Framework will also introduce a new motherboard in the second generation Laptop 16, equipped with AMD's latest AI 300/Strix Point processor, with the highest specification of Ryzen HX 370 with 12 cores and 24 threads, integrated Radeon 890M core display, and can run at 45W TDP for a long time. In addition, the new motherboard will support 4 of the 6 expansion card slots to output display signals (the previous generation only had 3), and will add a MUX direct connection function so that the independent display can drive the internal screen with lower latency.
Just like Framework 13, users can purchase almost all upgrade parts separately without replacing the entire machine.The new machine starts at $1,499 (excluding memory, hard drive and system), the 240W power adapter is priced at $109, the mobile RTX 5070 module is priced at $699, and the new Ryzen AI 300 motherboard starts at $749. A complete machine with pre-installed RTX 5070, 16GB of memory, 512GB of storage and 6 USB-C ports starts at $2,499.
Framework will still be shipped in batches. The first batch will be shipped in November, and pre-orders are currently open.
At the same time, the company will also sell a modified Radeon RX 7700S module (with new fans and Honeywell thermal material) for $449, and reduce the price of the original 7700S module to $399 (previously $499).
Patel emphasized that the new cooling system may be the most noteworthy improvement. The original graphics card module is responsible for the heat dissipation of both the CPU and GPU, resulting in obvious overheating and noise problems. This time it is not only an upgrade of the graphics card module, but also optimization of the CPU's heat diffuser and thermal conductive materials. Together with the new architecture chip, it can theoretically bring quieter and more efficient performance. However, he did not promise to completely solve the problem, only saying that users need to experience it for themselves.
Framework will not introduce new input modules this year, nor will there be new colored borders. The only change is that the problem of "accidentally touching the keyboard when the cover is closed causes the phone to turn on" will be solved through a firmware update. For the keyboard, a version with the Microsoft Copilot logo and a version without the Windows logo have been added to facilitate Linux users. RGB transparent keyboards, macro keyboards and LED matrix modules are still on sale.
Speaking of Linux, Patel also revealed that the Framework will officially support SteamOS-like distribution Bazzite and will provide official guides. Nvidia RTX 5070 can also run well under Linux. With the latest kernel and drivers, players can play almost all games on Steam.
Of course, the Framework 16 is still an expensive laptop. Its graphics card is much more expensive than similar desktop graphics cards, but offers lower performance. Even the RTX 5070 is more suitable for running new games at the native 2560×1440 resolution. High image quality can be played smoothly, but if you pull it to 4K resolution, you need to moderately reduce the image quality.
However, what Framework sells is not just performance, but the promise of “sustainable upgrades.” Instead of buying a new laptop every few years, keep updating the same machine. The company has proven this with Framework 13, and now it seems to be delivering on Framework 16 as well.
As for whether there will be more GPU upgrades in the future? Patel remains cautious. He said: "If AMD makes new moves in the future, of course we will communicate. We have a good relationship with Nvidia, and when the time is right, we will show the next step."
