The best part about a gaming PC is that it can be upgraded as and when new components come in. But the same doesn’t apply to gaming laptops. Once a new component is launched in the market, you will have to either change your whole device or continue using an outdated one. Now this might not be a concern for some people, but there is a section of people who love using only the latest and greatest. And for those, here’s some good news.
You will soon be able to upgrade your gaming laptop’s GPU. Yep, you read that right. Framework and Nvidia are taking a proper swing at the long-promised dream of a gaming laptop you can actually upgrade.
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Framework, in a recent blog post, announced the new laptop called the Framework Laptop 16. The company said that the first shipments will arrive in November.
“We’re excited to announce the new Framework Laptop 16, now with AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors and a graphics upgrade to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU! Pre-orders are open now starting at $1,499 USD, with first shipments this November,” the blog post by Framework read.
The new Framework Laptop 16 will soon let users upgrade their GPU at home, starting with a swappable Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics module. This is the first time in years that a mainstream notebook brand has offered an easy, user-friendly way to replace a laptop GPU, and crucially, it comes with Nvidia’s official backing.
Many companies have flirted with the idea of modular graphics before, but most projects faded out quickly. However, Framework’s design is different. The Laptop 16 already allows owners to swap out memory, storage, the keyboard deck and even the mainboard. Adding an upgradeable GPU pushes that idea further, extending the machine’s lifespan and reducing e-waste. As Framework notes, it means your laptop can keep pace with new gaming demands instead of being replaced every few years.
The first upgradable GPU module is the RTX 5070, which Framework says delivers a 30 to 40 percent performance boost over the AMD Radeon RX 7700S module that shipped last year. The unit includes a new cooling system with refined fan blades and a high-performance thermal interface for more efficient heat management. The upgrade itself is designed to be straightforward: loosen six screws, slide out the old module, and slot in the new one.
Pre-orders for the refreshed Laptop 16 start at $1,499 before adding memory, storage or OS. The new RTX 5070 GPU module will be available separately for $699, while the updated AMD Ryzen AI 300 mainboards begin at $749. Framework will also sell a 240W USB-C power adapter for $109, supporting USB Power Delivery 3.1. There is no word yet on the laptop’s availability in India. We might have to wait a little longer for that.
With that being said, if users in the US want a complete system out of the box, Framework is offering a prebuilt Laptop 16 with the RTX 5070, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage and six USB-C ports, starting at $2,499. For those on a tighter budget, the Laptop 16 line now starts at $1,499, while the earlier configuration drops to $1,299. Stepping up to a Ryzen 9 adds $300, and configuring with the RTX 5070 costs $700.
Framework is clear that the RTX 5070 runs at a sustained 100W TGP, which is less than the beefiest gaming laptops but still plenty for a modular design. The improved thermal system aims to maximize performance in this power envelope.
Framework’s CEO Nirav Patel had previously called an upgradable GPU the “holy grail” for gaming laptops. According to The Verge, the company started discussions with Nvidia in early 2024 after the first Laptop 16 launch, and Nvidia greenlit the project once it saw traction.
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