Hey,
It seems that more and more Intel laptops will soon support Thunderbolt 5 with a sweet increase in PCIe over USB bandwidth. This seems to make eGPUs viable again. Do you know if it is possible for the new AMD mobile chips to offer similar PCIe over USB performance improvements?
And would anyone else like to see the next AMD framework13 support this higher bandwidth?
(No I do not want to buy Intel, I run Linux…)
Have a nice day
Definitely consider me interested! I’m sure that the Framework team is well aware of the interest in getting Thunderbolt 5 support for their systems in the future, it is likely just a matter of time. 
"it is likely just a matter of time. "
Hopefully it will not take too long. I see no sign of Thunderbolt 5 adaptation from AMD. But maybe I just missed it.
I can’t follow this argument. The issue with Thunderbolt is not just the bandwidth, but also the overhead. Thus you are better off using Oculink for eGPUs and that works with either x64 CPU brand.
OK, correct me if I am wrong, but does Oculink not use a different plug? I highly doubt that Framework will dedicate one of their versatile connector spots on the 13 inch model in favor of a very uncommon connector. And while it seems that Oculink is better than USB4, Thunderbolt 5 does increase the bandwidth, while still being compatible with USB-C.
Here is a test of Oculink and a comparison with USB4, for everybody interested:
You are both right and wrong. Yes, Oculink does have a different connector and no, it wouldn’t make sense for Framework or anyone else, to design an Expansion Card for said connector, because those are being connected via USB-C to the mainboard.
Oculink requires a direct PCI-E connection, realized by its connector either being included directly on the mainboard, or via an adapter card connected via either M.2 or PCI-E.
As there aren’t any laptops available with PCI-E slots, that leaves the M.2 connector, of which the Framework Laptop 13 only owns a single one, so you’d be forced to connect a different boot drive via USB if you occupy it with the Oculink adapter.
Due to its Expansion Bay system and the recently released Dual M.2 Adapter, the Framework Laptop 16 doesn’t have that issue, as has been tested by a community member: