Framework Laptop 16 Deep Dive - Memory and Storage

In keeping with Framework’s philosophy, the Framework Laptop 16 has socketed memory and storage, making it easy for you to choose what you need on day one and upgrade to more any time later. Our pre-built configurations have set combinations of memory and storage, while on DIY Edition, you can choose any of the modules we offer in the Marketplace or bring your own if you prefer. We’ve taken both memory and storage to the next level on Framework Laptop 16. For memory, we’ve created new semi-custom Framework-branded DDR5-5600 modules. For storage, we have two M.2 slots, as well as the ability to add two more in the Expansion Bay for colossal storage capacity.

One core challenge we aimed to solve for memory on the Framework Laptop 16 was being able to offer the same modules for pre-built systems, DIY Edition, and the Framework Marketplace. Historically, we needed to source separate “OEM” modules from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron for use in our factory, and “Retail” modules from Crucial to offer in DIY Edition and the Marketplace. Instead, we worked with memory maker ADATA to create custom-label modules that we can use across all areas. Currently, we’re leveraging SK Hynix DDR5-5600 memory chips for these modules, but may use other chips that meet the performance bar in the future as well.

When we first visited ADATA’s headquarters in Taipei, they offered to give us a tour of their manufacturing line. We assumed they meant we could take a trip out to a factory in the future, but instead, they took us to another floor of the same building and showed us one of the most impressive, compact manufacturing environments we’ve seen. They have several highly-automated SMT (surface-mount technology) lines pumping out large quantities of memory and storage modules in a normal-looking office tower! Conveniently, this means we’re making our custom modules a short distance away from our laptop manufacturing lines that are also in Taiwan, enabling efficient logistics and better control over supply.

Framework Laptop 16 has two DDR5 SO-DIMM sockets. These support up to 32GB each, enabling 64GB of DDR5-5600 memory, and we’ll be offering 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB modules. This matches what we have on the**Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen 7040 Series)**, and we’re bringing our new branded memory modules there too.

For storage, we’ve put in two M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 sockets, one of which is 2280-sized and other 2230-sized. We attempted to fit two 2280 sockets, but with everything else we’re doing on the Mainboard, we ran out of space. 2280 modules are available on the market with up to 8TB capacity, while 2230 modules are available up to 2TB. For pre-built Framework Laptop 16s, we use Western Digital’s top-end SN810 drives with up to 6,600 MB/s of sequential read performance. For DIY Edition, we’ll offer the same options we do on Framework Laptop 13 for the primary 2280 storage: WD_BLACK SN770 and SN850X drives in up to 4TB capacity, with up to 7,300 MB/s of sequential read throughput. For the secondary 2230 storage, we offer Western Digital’s SN740 drives in up to 2TB. When we first started offering 2TB 2230 modules last year in the Framework Marketplace for Steam Deck owners, this was secretly also a way for us to start sourcing those modules for Framework Laptop 16!

If you need more storage than you can fit in those two M.2 sockets, we also have a couple of additional paths for you. One is that you can use up to six 1TB Storage Expansion Cards, that have up to 1,000 MB/s read performance. The other is that you can put an Dual M.2 SSD Holder Module in your Expansion Bay Shell, enabling you to drop in up to an additional 16TB of PCIe Gen4x4 storage. As always, we want to empower you to choose what you want your computer to be, from minimal, functional configurations all the way to extreme overkill!

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Nice one! Thanks for the update.

Quick question:
Is it planned to update the expansion modules?

1TB can be limiting and I believe there should be better tech out there to make a V2.

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That battery connector is the best possible type of connector, really happy to see FW implement feedback.

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Man, DDR5-5600 is some good speed. Can’t wait to load it up with the full 64GB.

I’m slightly disappointed to be limited to only 64GB of RAM. I know it’s not a portable workstation, but I had hoped to have 4 sockets.

Will the Framework Laptop 16, when configured with an AMD chip, support ECC DDR5 SO-DIMMs?

Also, Mushkin recently started shipping 48GB DDR5 SO-DIMM modules. The post says 32GB per slot, but is that due to availability or can they support the 48GB modules?

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The 2280 slot is referred to as the primary one – is it faster than the 2230? Is it expected to be the boot drive?

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Considering both the Ryzen 7040 apu & intel 13’th gen mobile apus have 20 available pcie4 lanes, they probably have ample lanes to give both slots full speed.
8x to external module,
2x 4x to ssd’s
and then 4x pcie lanes for other things.

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Did anyone say 48 GB modules unsupported? Well, they’re not officially supported, but working just fine. Confirmed by none other than Framework themselves yesterday.

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Same question here.

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Very excited to see the first laptop with nothing but storage expansions: 8 primary + 2 secondary + 6 modules + 16 expansion bay for a total of 32TB

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I’m not sure if Framework’s 2230 slot supports using the really thick dual sided PCBs that are present in the highest end SSDs like the newest Kioxia BG6 2TB versions while ALSO allowing for dual sided PCBs on a high-capacity 8TB 2280 drive. Does anybody have any information on that? I’m assuming we would know if it WASN’T the case.

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One more time, I do not remember, I have as an option in online store, SN850X with Radiator, will that fit into the lap? does it have room? I did not have same issue with previous disk.

I feel the bigger issue for me is future Firmware updates, cause if it is not officially supported, later Firmware updates might stop it from working…

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Now you got me curious. Why can’t you sell the SN810 for DIY version?

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I would also appreciate measurements done in MT/sec

Very nice to see a double M.2 slots!!

I have a question about RAM: will it still be possible to use RAM from other makers, or will it be dependent on those in-house custom-made Framework DDR5 RAM DIMMs?

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I am hoping the 2nd m.2 slot can be used for a 5g modem like https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/rf-modules/2069154?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-CSS_UK_EN_Semiconductors_Whoop-_-RF+Modules_Whoop+(2)_OMNISerpNov-_-2069154&matchtype=&pla-301075924720&gclid=CjwKCAjw-vmkBhBMEiwAlrMeF345f0t9cPOCJpr_16eZtkq7KDL_lfYMjm2yWO5z-F2lNrw6D5grTxoC7ncQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It is somewhat disappointing about not having enough space for 4 DIMMS.

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My brother in christ that’s ancient and mini pcie not m.2.

Unfortunately m.2 celular modems tend to be bigger than a 2230 m.2 slot and use a different key. It would also require an additional set of antennas.

Disappointed but I am not too surprised.

On the bright side there is a good chance much bigger ddr5 sodimms will become available during the ddr5 lifecycle since that theoretical upper limit for ddr5 is quite high amd since there aren’t really quad channel mobile platforms you don’t loose any performance from having just 2 slots.

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hah woops i googled m.2 5g modem and that’s what came up and didn’t read the details! Sounds like all round it’s not a viable approach.

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