Framework Laptop 16 gets NVIDIA RTX 5070 upgrade — modular gaming becomes practical

Framework has rolled out a meaningful upgrade for its Laptop 16: users can now swap the discrete Radeon RX 7700S expansion module for an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070. This is one of the first times a laptop owner can realistically upgrade a discrete GPU, marking a milestone for modular PC design.

The company also launched refreshed mainboards that support AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 or Ryzen AI 9 HZ 370 CPUs (both quoted at 45W TDP), a new 2,560 x 1,600 165Hz display with G‑Sync, Wi‑Fi 7 support and other refinements if you buy a new prebuilt model.

Key specs & features

• Swappable GPU: GeForce RTX 5070 expansion module (8GB DDR7) available as an upgrade; Radeon RX 7700S remains an option with improved thermals.
• Mainboards: Ryzen AI 7 or AI 9 HZ choices; up to 86GB RAM and one or two SSDs supported.
• Display & I/O: New 165Hz 2,560×1,600 panel (G‑Sync on supported configs), six expansion card slots, rear expansion bay, USB‑C power and two USB ports for accessories.
• Cooling & power: Upgraded thermal paste (Honeywell PTM), redesigned fan geometry and tweaked heat pipes; 240W adapter on refreshed models.
• Battery & form: Larger Laptop 16 chassis; modular components designed to be user‑replaceable with detailed guides.

Installation & modularity

Framework provides step‑by‑step guides modeled on iFixit-style instructions. Swapping the mainboard and expansion GPU is intentionally straightforward — the reviewer clocked a swap at around 22 minutes. That ease of serviceability is the Laptop 16’s defining strength: you can upgrade a core component instead of replacing the whole machine.

Performance & real‑world use

The RTX 5070 brings serious performance: in testing the unit ran Cyberpunk 2077 at very high frame rates (example figures showed ~140 fps on intense settings at 1080p and up to ~182 fps on other presets). Productivity tasks also benefited — large video transcodes and local AI model work (e.g., Gemma 3 27B) ran well.

Trade‑offs: noise, heat and port quirks

• Fan noise: Under load the Laptop 16 becomes loud — the discrete expansion module and mainboard have separate cooling, which ramps fans noticeably during heavy gaming or AI workloads.
• Heat: The chassis produces substantial warmth, making lap use uncomfortable during sustained heavy use.
• Port layout nuances: As with many AMD‑based modular designs, which expansion slots support which devices requires attention — check Framework’s diagrams to avoid surprises.

Pricing

Framework’s prebuilt Laptop 16 starts at about $1,500 (Ryzen AI 7) or $1,800 (AI 9). The RTX 5070 expansion module is priced around $699 — the same as buying it as an add‑on later. That puts a fully configured modular system in the same neighborhood as other high‑end gaming laptops, but with the advantage of upgradability.

Who should consider it?

The Laptop 16 is best for professionals and enthusiasts who value repairability, component longevity and the ability to upgrade selectively. If you prioritize the quietest operation or the coolest thermals in a compact chassis, other non‑modular laptops may be more comfortable out of the box. However, for those who want to extend the life of their machine and avoid wholesale replacements, Framework’s approach is compelling.

Buying tips

• Decide whether modularity is worth the price premium for your use case — you can buy the base system now and add the RTX module later.
• Be prepared for louder fans under heavy loads; consider using headphones or a cooling stand for desktop‑style play.
• Review Framework’s slot compatibility diagrams before ordering expansion cards or accessories.

Framework’s RTX 5070 upgrade is a landmark for modular laptops: it proves replaceable discrete GPUs can work in practice, even if the thermal and acoustic trade‑offs are real. If you care about keeping a single laptop upgradable for years, this is one of the most important releases in recent PC hardware.

Discussion: Would you buy a modular laptop like Framework’s Laptop 16 and upgrade the GPU over time, or prefer a traditonal sealed system with quieter thermals? What matters more to you — upgradability or out‑of‑the‑box polish?

Further reading: Framework Laptop 16 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX | Original review.