With Nvidia's blessing: Removable GeForce graphics cards for notebooks are back

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The US company Framework has unveiled the second generation of its Laptop 16. It comes with a special innovation: the GPU module is now available with a mobile GeForce RTX 5070 (8 GB memory) from Nvidia. It is the first interchangeable and upgradeable mobile GeForce for many years.

Due to a lack of alternatives, Framework uses a proprietary design with a PCI Express connection. The graphics chip with the memory is located in a module that is plugged into the back of the notebook. Anyone using a first-generation laptop with AMD's Radeon RX 7700S or without an independent GPU can upgrade to the new RTX 5070 module.

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GeForce-Modul des Framework Laptop 16 (2 Bilder)

MXM successor

The Taiwanese supplier Compal builds the GPU modules for Framework. The development was carried out together with Nvidia. This is not a matter of course, as Nvidia has been promoting so-called Max-Q designs since the GTX 1000 generation from 2016. Notebook manufacturers solder the GPUs directly onto the mainboard – an exchange is not easily possible.

The Mobile PCI Express Modules (MXM), first specified in 2004, are almost extinct today. They were standard for notebooks until the 2010s: An MXM housed a GPU plus the appropriate memory and used a connector on the mainboard. This design is not suitable for the Framework Laptop 16, as the module has to be plugged in at the back.

Even though MXMs were basically modular, there were only a few upgrade options. Manufacturers did not usually sell GPUs to end customers. In addition, various component arrangements could prevent upgrades, such as voltage converters that were in the way. Framework, on the other hand, guarantees upgrade options.

Companies such as Advantech still offer MXM variants, but only up to the Ampere generation from 2020 and primarily for embedded systems. The latest variant is the Quadro Embedded A4500. For notebooks, there were still a few MXM versions up to the GeForce RTX 2000 generation (Turing, 2018).

Update to Ryzen AI 300 and 240-watt power supply unit

Meanwhile, Framework has made some improvements to the Laptop 16 and the new GPU module. The cooling system for the GPU should work more quietly thanks to new fans and controllers, among other things. A multiplexer can switch the image output between the GeForce GPU and the integrated AMD graphics unit. The IPS panel with 2560 × 1600 pixels and 165 hertz is now G-Sync compatible certified.

The GeForce RTX 5070 can permanently consume up to 100 watts of electrical power. Framework has upgraded the processor from AMD's Ryzen 7040 series to the current Ryzen AI 300. The eight-core Ryzen AI 7 350 sits in the base configuration, with the 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 available as an option. The CPU gets up to 45 watts permanently. Both the CPU and the GPU are equipped with phase change thermal pads from Honeywell.

Framework now offers a USB-C power supply unit from the supplier Chicony, which delivers 240 watts via the official Power Delivery specification. Other new features include Wi-Fi 7 (with an AMD plug-in card), an improved webcam and a more stable housing cover.

GeForce from 740 euros

The basic configuration of the new Framework Laptop 16 with Ryzen AI 7 350 and GeForce RTX 5070 costs 2429 euros, excluding SSD, RAM and operating system. Framework charges 740 euros for the graphics card module alone in the configurator – Upgrades have to pay 779 euros. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 costs 340 euros extra. Framework plans to deliver current orders in December 2025.

The GPU module with AMD's Radeon RX 7700S is still available in the configurator for 400 euros, for example for users who don't need that much performance or want to use Linux and prefer AMD's drivers. New Radeon modules also get the revised cooling system.

(mma)