PCIe slot power requirements

Framework Desktop
1

From the picture of the ITX motherboard I noticed there is a 8 pin CPU power connector but no 24pin motherboard power. If we plan to build our own system using the motherboard, will there be enough power for the PCIe slot? Usually the motherboard will supply 75W to a PCIe card, but the lack of 24pin motherboard connector makes me wonder if its possible to use the PCIe x4 expansion slot as you normally would on an mITX system.

2

There is a 24 pin connector!? It’s just in a slightly unusual position above the PCIe slot.

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3

Well I guess that may be the reason they didn’t want to put an open ended pcie connector there

4

Yeah, most GPU will not fit into that slot anyway. Especially not those that are better than the buildin iGPU.

5

That is kind of the whole debate with the non open ended slot.

6

I was thinking the same thing, but there are lot of options for “expander” GPU risers. They convert a 4x slot into a logical 4x / physical x16 slot and function like a GPU riser. The sandwich style ITX cases all use GPU risers, so I figured I might be able to be build a double GPU mini itx system with the framework board, with the right riser cable.

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7

That is kind of the whole debate with the non open ended slot.

Is it? I don’t know of any mini PCs that can take a GPU. That’s what distinguishes the design of a mini PC from mini ITX. Maybe it’s an ITX board you’re after?

It is more typical for mini PCs to fascilitate connection to an eGPU via, say, OCULINK or TB4/5

8

It IS an ITX board.

9

It may have ITX features but, without the open-ended pcie slot, it probably isn’t

10

I went looking for this interview with Lisa Su where she drops the POSSABILITY of more desktop designs using the AI Max+. I don’t know what ‘desktop’ means because that topic wasn’t opened up

The framework desktop is what it is for now. The slot isn’t going to change, not in the short term. So, your options are to wait or to work with the PCIe x4 as is

I am sure these designs will evolve quite rapidly. Who know, tarrifs may even come down by the time a rev 2x board is launched

In the meantime, a card, something like this, works for me as an option to add additional graphics in the future

11

ITX is a form factor, it is that form factor.

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