Looks like the 13 Gen Intel HX support 16 PCIe G5 and 4 thunderbolt . Should be enough for 16x to the expansion bay?
Even if some processors have limited IO, why limit the infrastructure of the design
Remember that you also have to allocate PCIe lanes to things like the Wifi module and nvme slots for the SSD(s).
I’m sure Framework will have thought this through.
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The chipset has PCIe lanes for those usages
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I know that Framework now officially had Thunderbolt 4 now but with the capabilities of this MoBo has anyone thought of an M.2 -to-Oculink option for a eGPU instead of the slow and sometimes unstable Thunderbolt 4 eGPU option? I think that Framework could with a bit of modification to create a path for a Oculink cable(via a PCI Express M.2-Key Cable adapter) from one of the (2) M.2 ports on of Framework’s (6) module ports would work great.
I mean if you are wanting to Game with a big desktop card then why settle for the devaluing that GPU with a inferior Thunderbolt 4 line?
If you don’t know what OcuLink is then please check it out. This is a good introduction to it vs TB4
This DESTROYS Thunderbolt - Oculink Makes eGPU Feel Like Desktop!
What are your thoughts on this?
Thank you
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So am I correct in saying that the Framework 16 supports x8 lanes external PCI output? If so then all someone needs to do is make a custom PCB designed with OcuLink 8i connector. For a far superior eGPU.
Or is OcuLink the connecter being used for the Framework’s eGPU module?
Some please respond.
This is exactly what Framework’s CEO is saying.
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Superior apart from not having hot plug or power delivery or any of the other amenities, but performance wise definitely.
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Yes, this is true but why else have a eGPU and underpower it Just because one is too lazy to do a little power down sequence?
I mean like, we’re all running solid state drives here right? How long does it really take you to restart your computer. Also typically using a external GPU you’re going to be stationary anyway.
I want my Framework 16 to have the possibility to be a graphical powerhouse if I need it to be. I would like to run The more high-end graphic cards if I wish to on par with or at least close to desktop performance. Thunderbolt 4 doesn’t provide that.
Does that make sense?
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I want my Framework 16 to have the possibility to be a graphical powerhouse if I need it to be. I would like to run The more high-end graphic cards if I wish to on par with or at least close to desktop performance. Thunderbolt 4 doesn’t provide that.
I don’t think it’s really realistic to expect similar performance as a desktop in a laptop (look at the rediculous power draw from the rtx 4000 series, you’d have to cram all that cooling capacity in the expansion module).
Additionally, remember that this is new. No other laptops have this, so it’s gonna take a while for vendors to start making things for it (if at all, depending on the market share).
They are talking about connecting an external GPU using an adapter in the Expansion Bay module to provide a OcuLink connector.
https://community.frame.work/t/framework-16-suggestion-regarding-x8-link/28300/14
I am personally ready to take quite a performance hit to not have to close all my stuff down every time I switch from stationary to portable but different people use tech differently.
If they could get pci hotplug working, that would be the holy grail though, having to plug in an additional cable for power and peripherals is completely acceptable to me.
In the end I just find the technology neat, not gonna get a 16 as it’s way too big to count as a notebook to me.
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This is where we all need to consider the evolving tech or in this case the OcuLink was actually created back in 2015 but was not standardized and used mostly for servers. Its only in the advent of the Chinese (from my understanding) using it in BitCoin mining that the true potential for eGPU’s was realized. The question is still on how to supply a full ATX sized PSU to the RTX 4000 (or any High-end card) beyond 250W. One Dock has the solution and will be selling their One Dock 1.5 eGPU dock by the end of August. Unlike their original One Dock which has to be modded to support anything over 250W PSU the new one will support ANY size GPU and Natively support Desktop ATX PSU’s to accommodate the power hungry GPU’s of the higher-end.
For those of us who do not mind docking a small portable daily driver laptop or tablet that sports a spare PCIe slot connected to an OcuLink Port than this is a dream come true.
I am planning to run my AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX from the One Dock 1.5 when it comes out.
As you can see, I am very excited 
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It looks very nice. The version that forum post announces is already interesting, but *it’s totally unclear where you’d buy it from.
That kind of retailer partnership is a creature unto itself to negotiate… as I bet FrameWork team could sympathise with, now!
*edit: OK, they do explain later in their posts. It’s all a bit seat of the pants by the look of it. Tech start-up in China.
Seat of the pants, agreed.
Buuuut I will risk it as long as I use PayPal or my Credit Card that I can have some kind of security. NEVER use any Debit card for any purchase you are questionable about, but we both know this
Anyway, One Dock’s site: https://www.1-dock.com/en-us/#/
Currently they use SuperBuy (which I know nothing about) to sell their current One Dock version and may use the same site for their One Dock 1.5 when it comes out at the end of August.
Superbuy - The Best Taobao Agent Help You Shop,Shipping From China
I’m stoked about their One Dock 1.5 version. I want to use a high-end GPU with a full 850W ATX PSU. This will be fun.
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Wow, finally found this group here only now…turns out I am learning a lot in these chats, for example I only recently learned in another group about oculink.
My question is just to summarise where to go from here?
- so wait until FW16 comes out with adapter, then buy One Dock 1.5 in August, is that it?
- or is thunderbolt 5 too close around the corner, does anyone have an opinion (I guess we will see).
- is oculink actually the best cable (excuse my ignorance on possibilities)? Or what would the “holy grail of hot plug pci” look like?
Basically I am picking people’s brains at this point. Thanks for any opinions. Having the same questions as Tony_White it appears.
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It is rumoured that the next generation of Intel cpus will come with Thunderbolt 5 but nothing has been confirmed.
So next generation Intel cpus could still come with TB4 just like this one. Even if next generation Intel comes with TB5, that’s easily a year away.
That’s it, that is what it is known.
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Thanks a lot. That’s what I thought and it would make the alternative still worthwhile.
I understand TB5 is incredibly complex now, but still getting a bit tired of waiting.
OCUlink connection is far more compatible, stable and faster than USB4/Thunderbolt 4.
All you need is a spare NVMe port (Not M.2 SATA) to connect the NVMe to OCUlink adapter to your OCUlink cabled eGPU PCB kit. That and the PSU to power it.
OneDrive has stated that their current version does support FULL Desktop ATX PSU’s to provide maximum power for the higher end GPU’s. I am trying to get confirmation from their Discord on it now.
Handtalker is the man to chat with…
Furthermore, OCUlink is 63 GT/s vs USB4/Thunderbolt4’s 40 GT/s. I’m not sure about what TB5 will offer but you better have a system that supports it. TB is after all a proprietary Intel/Apple thing where as OCUlink is open source.
That’s what I know so far.
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Also, 8 lane Oculink connectors exist now, which could take advantage of all the lanes available in the expansion bay. Amphenol makes 3 different variants.
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One Dock is using the M2 SFF-8611 which I believe is 8-lane and they have given the PCB files of the M.2 to OCulink adapter. So you can make your own adapter board from your local PCB manufacturers if you wish. The openness of OneDock along with that of the Framework laptops is sweet double barrel goodness right there.
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