Question: AM5 mounting? Configurable TDP?

Framework Desktop
1

Hi,
I am interested in Framework Desktop Mainboard (AMD Ryzen™ AI Max 300 Series). I have 2 questions:

  1. Is the mainboard compatibe with standard AMD AM5 mounting (for replacing the pre-installed passiv cooling)?
  2. Can I configure TDP (specifically going down to 50 Watts) of the APU?
    Thanks
2

The preinstalled cooling has a fan and is not passive.

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3

Same here… but don’t look to be a AM4/5 cooling , but may be an other one ca be compatible.
With quick mesure on the motherboard picture I get:
79x89 mm

Can be nice if we can have water cooling for exemple …

https://support.watercoolinguk.co.uk/article/74-mounting-hole-spacing-for-air-coolers-and-water-blocks => don’t look to be a standart size…

4
  1. This is definitely no AM5 mount. It looks entirely custom to me, like is common at mobile APUs/CPUs, which this is.

As others have said, the premounted custom heatsink is not a passive cooling solution. It is absolutely necessary to mount a 120 mm fan to the heatsink, using the included mounting bracket. I don’t think there is much need for exchanging the cooling solution. Just get a strong quiet fan (if you buy the Desktop the two fans on option are good choices) and you are fine.

If you really want to exchange the cooling system, you will not only need something that can mount but you will need a custom cooling block, that also cools the memory and the VRM, like the stock heatsink does. That would need custom CNC machined adapter if not an entirely custom system.

  1. Yeah, I really would love to know that too. So far I have not seen an answer to that at all. Unless we get some statement otherwise I assume that the TDP cannot be configured.

EDIT: if you want to design a custom cooling solution. There is information on the board dimensions at the Framework github: Framework-Desktop/Mainboard at main · FrameworkComputer/Framework-Desktop · GitHub

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If it’s treated as a mobile CPU, the performance mode selection changes the maximum TDP.
For the FW16, I believe it’s 54 at most, but only 35 in economy mode (to be verified…) by default. But from memory, it can be modified with a few tools.