All articles tagged with #oculink
Framework unveils an OCuLink Dev Kit that connects a desktop GPU or other PCIe cards to the Framework Laptop 16 via a direct PCIe link, delivering desktop-level graphics power; it's a barebones, non plug-and-play solution that requires a desktop power supply and a reboot, with 3D-printed docking options, and it will ship later this year—not compatible with other Framework laptops.
Framework is adding an eGPU option to its Laptop 16 via an OCuLink Dev Kit that plugs directly into the mainboard to run PCIe cards (including GPUs) and ships with an OCuLink Dock for off-the-shelf PCIe expansion. The kit works with existing blank modules, and more hardware details are promised later this year. In addition, Framework is releasing an all-in-one trackpad/keyboard cover, a new wireless keyboard, a Laptop Sleeve, and a 10Gb Ethernet expansion card designed with Wisdpi, broadening the Laptop 16 ecosystem beyond its core modular design.
Framework’s Laptop 16 gets cosmetic refinements (a translucent bezel option and a new one-piece keyboard plus haptic trackpad) to look more finished, plus a cheaper CPU option (Ryzen AI 5 340) that drops starting prices to $1,599 for pre-built or $1,249 for a DIY kit. The big new feature is the OCuLink Dev Kit, which exposes up to eight PCIe 4.0 lanes for external GPUs and other accessories via dedicated adapters, replacing the laptop’s current GPU/Expansion Bay shell. Pricing for the Dev Kit components isn’t announced yet, and shipping is planned for later this year.
The introduction of the OCuLink connector has expanded external GPU options for consumer products, allowing direct connection to high-end desktop GPUs like the RTX 4070Ti SUPER and RTX 4090. However, recent tests show that when connected to a laptop and displaying images directly on the laptop monitor, the RTX 4070Ti SUPER experiences a 9.8% performance loss, while the RTX 4090 suffers up to a 22.6% loss. Connecting the discrete GPU directly to an external monitor provides better performance, with a lower loss of just 16.6%. The performance decrease varies based on the benchmark, but overall, external GPUs using OCuLink face similar bottlenecks as Thunderbolt-connected graphics, albeit with less performance penalty.
OneXPlayer announces the upcoming release of the X1 gaming device, featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU and an 11-inch 2.5K resolution screen. The device is designed for gaming and includes a stereo 2.0 audio system certified by Harman. It is also the first device to feature OCulink support, allowing for the use of more powerful discrete graphics. The X1 is part of the OneXPlorer series, tailored for gamers and people on the go who may also use their systems for work or study. The system is set to launch in January 2024.