I searched and didnt see anything on it so figured I’d make a post asking.
If I’m the first I’ll also make some notes/docs on the process since it seems that swapping the shell isn’t on the repair guide yet.
Oh and if you are wondering if the fw16 with dgpu can take a bit of abuse im here to inform you it can. While in my loaded travel backpack, old carhart laptop backpack with minial padding, it took a 3 foot fall on the dGPU shell.
The dGPU shell did take damage. It broke some of the plastic grill fins, dented a bit and broke a locator pin on that side. It did not damage the GPU as far as I can tell, or the rest of the laptop.
I’ve been using my FW16 as my daily for gaming and work since this happened about 3 weeks ago without issue.
The marks on the back are from the zipper on my laptop bag, that’s with it in and out a few times a day since I received it.
I haven’t seen anyone else post with this issue yet, so I’m guessing you’re the first (on the forums at least). Sorry to hear this happened, but at least it’s theoretically easier to replace than on another device? Shouldn’t have happened to begin with though. Do you think the extra inch on the dGPU butt is to blame?
Honestly a 3 foot fall with about 15 lbs of stuff in the bag and that’s all that happened, I can’t be mad. If the shell was shorter the hinge/screen might have taken a bit of a beating as well, not just the shell.
I don’t think it would have changed what outcome if the back of the dGPU shell was shorter. I have an old Dell G15 that has a similar design that has taken a similar fall. The Dell did take less damage, but I would attribute that to the Dell rear section being just a hunk of almost solid plastic, not a thin shell like the FW16.
I’m traveling so I won’t get to the swap until early next year. If no one has posted about doing on by then I’ll update this then.
If anyone has other questions when I get to the swap or about the damage ect, I’m more than happy to answer what I can.
Bleeeeh, this happened to me too, though not nearly as badly. I just lost a grill fin over lots of rough transit in a bag, but the dGPU and all seem great. Thinking I’ll buy a shell sometime soon to fix it up.
Looking at the marketplace pictures and considering the company that makes it, I bet it’s pretty darn easy to swap. Looks like just a few easily accessible screws, probably like a 3-minute job.
Personally though, if it’s just cosmetic damage, I’d leave it. Over time I’ve gotten much more comfortable with the “battle damaged” look of my devices and expensive things. That first scratch always hurts, but once I get past that it’s very liberating as I no longer burden myself with babying my things.
But that’s just me. I totally understand wanting to keep things looking new, and it looks to me like Framework makes that pretty easy.
I’ve removed the shell before for cleaning. Disassembling the whole module is quite easy, just a little confusing at times which screws hold on the shell and which screws hold on the heatsink.
I was holding off on taking the shell/dGPU apart as I’m traveling. Didn’t want to chance missing it in shipping while traveling.
It looks like, as others have said, to be an easy swap.
I reached out to support just to see if they had a guide that had yet to be published for some reason. It seems there is not one at the moment from what I gather.
I disassambled my dGPU completly to replace the Thermal Paste, its really easy. You can just buy the Graphics Module Replacement Cover and transplant everything. There is only a GPU Fan Replacement Guide, but it can help to visualize.
No Performance Difference as its not templimited, but less Temperature favors less Fan Noise about 5C less Temp after i installed PTM7950.Have not seen above 70C when the GPU runs at 100w.
about 5C less Temp after i installed PTM7950.Have not seen above 70C when the GPU runs at 100w.