Framework Laptop 16: The Ultimate Guide to Its RTX 5070 Upgrade, AMD AI CPUs, and Why Modularity is the Future of Gaming Laptops

The Modular Revolution: Framework Laptop 16’s Journey to Gaming Dominance

Framework has always been a disruptor, challenging the entrenched norms of an industry rife with planned obsolescence. Their vision for consumer electronics is simple yet radical: products designed for longevity, upgradeability, and repair. With the Framework Laptop 16, this philosophy takes on the demanding world of gaming. Traditional gaming laptops are often seen as disposable powerhouses, quickly outdated and impossible to repair. The Laptop 16, especially with its transformative 2025 upgrades, stands in stark contrast. It’s not just a gaming machine; it’s a statement, offering a unique position as a device built to evolve with you, defying the throwaway culture that dominates its competitors.

The Right to Repair: Framework’s Unwavering Commitment

Framework’s journey began with a clear mission: to fundamentally change consumer electronics. CEO Nirav Patel, whose work on the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project deeply influenced his vision for sustainable computing, founded Framework to champion the “right-to-repair” movement. The Laptop 13 successfully established this paradigm, proving that high-performance, repairable devices were not just possible, but highly desired. With the Laptop 16, Framework has tackled what many considered the “holy grail” of modular computing: a truly upgradeable discrete GPU. This commitment to user empowerment sets it worlds apart from competitors. While ambitious projects like Google’s Project Ara ultimately failed due to compromises in design and durability, and traditional gaming powerhouses like Alienware continue to churn out sealed, proprietary systems, Framework has delivered on its promise. Their Expansion Bay system, allowing for hot-swappable graphics modules, is a testament to this unwavering dedication, offering a path to longevity that others simply cannot match.

“I love my framework 14. I’m far from a power user but as a diesel farm mechanic I really love a company prioritizing repair.”

JoltGamer Community Comment (Fandom Pulse)

• CPU & Mainboard: Easily swapped for future generations (e.g., Ryzen AI 300 series).
• RAM & Storage: Standard, user-accessible DDR5 (up to 96GB) and NVMe SSD slots (up to 10TB storage).
• Expansion Cards: Hot-swappable ports for USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, MicroSD, and more.
• Input Modules: Customizable keyboard, numpad, macropads, and spacers, controlled by open-source VIA software.
• Discrete GPU: The revolutionary Expansion Bay system for upgradeable graphics, a feat other companies struggled with.

Next-Gen Power: RTX 5070 and AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series Arrive

The Framework Laptop 16 is receiving its first major hardware refresh, a pivotal moment for the platform. Headlining this update is the introduction of the powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU module, poised to dramatically elevate gaming performance. Complementing this, Framework is integrating AMD’s cutting-edge Ryzen AI 300 series chips, specifically the Ryzen AI 7 350 and Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. These new processors bring not only significant CPU enhancements but also dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) for advanced AI workloads, making the Laptop 16 a formidable machine for both gaming and creative tasks that leverage AI. Crucially, Framework remains true to its core philosophy: these new upgrades are fully backward compatible. Owners of existing Laptop 16 models can acquire the RTX 5070 graphics module and the new Ryzen AI 300 series mainboards, seamlessly integrating them into their current systems and reinforcing the device’s unparalleled longevity.

Gaming Benchmarks: From RX 7700S to RTX 5070

For a gaming machine, performance is paramount. The original Framework Laptop 16, equipped with the AMD Radeon RX 7700S, offered respectable gaming capabilities, generally performing on par with an Nvidia RTX 4060 mobile GPU. It delivered solid frame rates in many titles, achieving 74 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 and 95 FPS in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla at 1080p Ultra settings. While it could push 60+ FPS in older titles at its native 2560×1600 resolution, more demanding modern games often necessitated a drop to 1080p. The arrival of the Nvidia RTX 5070 module, however, is a game-changer. Framework projects a significant 30-40% performance uplift over the RX 7700S, propelling the Laptop 16 into what can be described as “PlayStation 5-class” gaming territory. This substantial boost means smoother experiences at higher resolutions and settings, firmly establishing the Framework 16 as a more serious contender in the competitive gaming laptop market.

Beyond raw horsepower, the overall gaming experience hinges on critical components like the display and thermal management. The Framework Laptop 16 features a stunning 16-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) IPS display, boasting a fluid 165Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync support for tear-free gameplay. Its impressive brightness, averaging close to 500 nits, combined with excellent color reproduction (106.5% sRGB, 75.4% DCI-P3), ensures vibrant and immersive visuals. A rapid 9ms response time further minimizes ghosting and motion blur, crucial for fast-paced titles. Sustaining this performance, especially with the new RTX 5070, demands a robust cooling solution. Framework has addressed this with a revamped thermal management system, incorporating a new heatsink, reoptimized fan blade geometry, and an updated controller IC for reduced noise. This ensures that even during intense gaming sessions, the laptop can maintain optimal temperatures, preventing throttling and delivering consistent, high-fidelity performance.

Living with Modularity: Design, Input, and Daily Use

Living with the Framework Laptop 16 is an experience defined by personalization. Its input system is a testament to this, offering an unparalleled degree of customization. Users can tailor their setup with various keyboard layouts, add a numpad, integrate RGB macropads, or choose from different spacers, all controlled by open-source VIA software. This flexibility extends to the six hot-swappable Expansion Card slots, a practical marvel that allows users to instantly configure their ports for USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, or even a microSD card reader. Daily use is further enhanced by an upgraded 1080p webcam, now featuring a 9.2-megapixel Omnivision sensor and physical privacy switches for both the camera and microphone—a thoughtful touch for security-conscious users. For many tech enthusiasts, the robust Linux support is a significant draw; distributions like Fedora 40 run exceptionally well out-of-the-box, demonstrating Framework’s commitment to a diverse user base.

• Robust Linux support out-of-the-box (e.g., Fedora 40 works well, Framework actively supporting more distros).
• High-quality 1080p webcam with physical privacy switches for enhanced security.
• New 240W USB-C PD 3.1 charger for powerful and flexible charging options.
• Reinforced CNC aluminum top cover for improved rigidity and durability.
• Open-source input modules and firmware (VIA, QMK) for unparalleled customization.

The Modular Challenger: How Framework Stacks Up Against the Competition

In a market saturated with high-performance gaming laptops, the Framework Laptop 16 carves out a unique and compelling niche. Its value proposition isn’t solely about peak synthetic benchmarks or the thinnest chassis; it’s about longevity, user empowerment, and a sustainable lifecycle. Traditional gaming laptops, from brands like Razer, often prioritize raw, bleeding-edge performance in a sealed, non-serviceable package. While they might offer a slight edge in absolute power at any given moment, this comes at the cost of rapid obsolescence, forcing users into expensive full system replacements every few years. The Framework 16, by contrast, presents a different kind of value. It acknowledges an inherent trade-off: perhaps not always the *absolute* most powerful on day one compared to a top-tier competitor, but undeniably the most powerful in the long run, thanks to its unparalleled upgradeability. For gamers and creators who prioritize evolving their machine over time and minimizing e-waste, Framework offers a philosophy that extends far beyond a simple spec sheet.

Investment in Longevity: Pricing, Pre-Orders, and Framework’s Horizon

The 2025 Framework Laptop 16, with its significant upgrades, sees a modest price increase, starting at $1,499 for the DIY edition. While this represents a $100 bump from its original launch, the value proposition shifts dramatically when considering the cost of the new RTX 5070 module at $700 or a Ryzen 9 CPU upgrade for $300. Crucially, Framework is committed to accessibility; the original Laptop 16 model, featuring the Ryzen 7 7840HS, remains available at a reduced starting price of $1,299. This pricing strategy underscores Framework’s core philosophy: rather than buying a completely new laptop every two to three years, users are investing in a platform. The ability to incrementally upgrade key components—CPU, GPU, RAM, storage—transforms the initial purchase into a long-term investment, ultimately offering superior value and significantly extending the lifespan of your gaming machine compared to the disposable model of traditional manufacturers.

Framework’s ambition extends far beyond laptops. The company’s broader mission is to fundamentally remake consumer electronics, championing open-source hardware and a future where every device is designed for longevity and user control. This commitment is evident in their open-sourcing of module systems, which has fostered a vibrant community developing everything from cyberdecks to commercial products. While laptops remain their primary focus, Framework has hinted at expanding into other categories, with modular smartphones being a tantalizing possibility. Furthermore, the growing interest in ARM-powered models for future Framework devices signals an exciting potential direction. Though current ARM SoCs don’t yet meet the performance requirements for their laptops, the industry is clearly moving towards higher-performance ARM processors for notebooks. This forward-looking perspective, combined with their recent expansion into the Laptop 12 and a modular desktop, illustrates that Framework is not just building products; it’s building an ecosystem, constantly looking to the horizon for the next frontier of user-empowered technology.

The Definitive Verdict: Framework 16, A Glimpse into Gaming’s Future?