Monday, December 18th 2023
Framework Laptop 16 Liquid Metal Cooling Solution Explored
The Ryzen 7040 Series processor in Framework Laptop 16 is capable of running at a sustained 45 W TDP (Thermal Design Power) and we put together an excellent thermal solution to ensure it can do that while keeping CPU temperature, touch temperatures, and fan noise to a minimum. That 45 watts of CPU power needs to be efficiently conducted into the vapor chamber, heatpipes, and fins to be carried away through airflow from the fans.
Since neither the CPU die nor the vapor chamber surface are perfectly flat, a thermal interface material is needed to fill in gaps to avoid comparatively insulative air taking up that space. Traditionally, most computers use a thermal grease that has thermally conductive particles suspended in silicone. This works reasonably well, but the silicone itself isn't especially thermally conductive, and the paste can pump out or dry out over time, making it less effective.
Instead, on Framework Laptop 16, we used a liquid metal thermal interface on the CPU. Liquid metal is exactly what it sounds like: a 100% metal sheet made up of indium, tin, and bismuth that turns from solid into liquid at around 58 °C as the CPU heats up, filling any air gaps completely. Being metal, it is extremely thermally conductive, rated at 72 W/mK, substantially better than the 5-10 W/mK that is typical for traditional paste. It also doesn't dry out or pump out over time. We're using Coollaboratory's Liquid MetalPad through their Taiwan-based partner CCHUAN.
You might be thinking, is it safe to have highly electrically conductive liquid inside of a portable device? The answer in this case is yes, as we've designed the thermal system to contain it at multiple levels. First, because AMD's processors have small capacitors directly next to the CPU dies, we dispense an insulative glue layer using a robotic fixture during Mainboard assembly to cover them. Next, an etched pattern in the surface of the vapor chamber holds the liquid metal through tension. Finally, a dual foam barrier around the CPU is squeezed between the processor package and the vapor chamber copper plate, preventing any liquid metal from escaping. All of this results in a very cool thermal solution and great CPU performance.
Source:
Framework Blog
Since neither the CPU die nor the vapor chamber surface are perfectly flat, a thermal interface material is needed to fill in gaps to avoid comparatively insulative air taking up that space. Traditionally, most computers use a thermal grease that has thermally conductive particles suspended in silicone. This works reasonably well, but the silicone itself isn't especially thermally conductive, and the paste can pump out or dry out over time, making it less effective.
11 Comments on Framework Laptop 16 Liquid Metal Cooling Solution Explored
Jokes aside, nice concept with this laptop but it is expensive when you start adding modules to the base configuration.
I wonder how many people are actually going to upgrade anything else aside from usb ports, keyboard etc.
can other companies produce modules or is it only framework?
- You can choose your RAM speed, especially if you choose the DIY version where you bring your own RAM, storage, and OS. It supports up to 5600MT/s SODIMMs, which is the fastest you can get for replacable RAM. Faster speeds are only supported on soldered LPDDR5(X) RAM.
- I get you can't choose different display specs, but barely any other company out there offers an identical laptop with different display options. And usually those that do, one display is a straight upgrade from the other, which is usually <100% sRGB trash. Framework have gone on record to say that since it's not economically possible to offer multiple display options, they decided to choose a model that should fit as many uses as possible: it is 16:10 1600p, 165Hz, has 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and was testing for minimal input lag and ghosting. It's therefore good for productivity, gaming, and colour work, all at the same time. They have confirmed they have designed the motherboard for touchscreen compatibility down the line. The things I can blame it for, is not being OLED (which some don't like for battery life and burn in) and supporting HDR, and being only matte (which some also don't like). You can't complain about not having display options, which almost no manufacturer does, and then complain about the price being high.
- Nvidia is notoriously a bitch to work with, and since they had to custom design GPU interfaces with the hot-swap connector, AMD was the only company willing to get on board with the project. In the meantime you get to choose between the best integrated GPU out there (780M), or a decent dGPU that fits the screen its paired with and the thermal and electrical constraints of the expansion slot system.
- No Intel option yet because 1. Intel's current offering is not competitive for mobile (Meteor Lake just launched this week), especially in battery life and 2. AMD offered to help. Framework 13 started with Intel, and AMD came later. Intel will most likely come down the line too, and Nvidia might too if Framework continues to grow.
- The 85Wh battery is a limitation of the repairability of the laptop. There just isn't enough space for more, at a fair price for Framework's order sizes, right now. Framework have upgraded the battery on the Framework 13 when higher density cells became available.
- Of course the price is higher than its competitors, since Framework is still operating at a tiny scale compared to them, and it offers features that no other computer on the market does. If you don't care about upgradeability (which Framework has delivered on from 3 CPU generations for the Framework 13 now, 4 including AMD), buy a different laptop that fits your needs better.
TL;DR: Is the Framework 16 the perfect laptop? No. Does it have severe compromises? Yes. Should it be criticised for its real issues (like the battery life and speaker issues the 13 has)? Yes. Is it also being unfairly bashed online? Also yes. Like, holy shit guys: Framework is a TINY COMPANY revolutionising (and DELIVERING on) the laptop market in a way that's benefitting the environment and consumers, and people are criticising their newest offering for not being as broad as what megacorporations with decades of market presence can offer. Again, holy shit guys, ever heard of economies of scale? I get it, not everyone can afford to vote with their wallet and support new projects, but at least criticise stuff that's relevant/realistic, or at the very least factual (like the RAM, when 60s of Google-Fu shows you can actually slap whatever DDR5 SODIMM you want in there)...Sorta want a FW as my next laptop but it would take me a year or more to save up enough for even a base model :(
The most I'm willing to ever pay for a laptop is 800 tops... I would get too much anxiety w something more pricey....
A Framework 13 (7840u) is a bit more expensive than a Lenovo T14s Gen 4 (7840u).
Yes the T14s has the faster ram that's also low power spec, is slightly lighter/thinner, and has significantly longer battery life if you get the low power 16:10 FHD screen.
BUT, Thinkpad has been downhill since the selloff, the ram is soldered, the WiFi card on the Gen 4 has a terrible reputation, the screen is glued in place, and getting technical information or even looking up parts for stuff is cumbersome at best with Lenovo.
(Plus how many people have a 2.Xk screen in 3:2? Hell, I'm glad LG made the DualUp in a sea of 21:9)
What are the odds that in general the 2027 T14s is better than the 2024 model? Well you gotta buy that.
Well whatever improvements Framework develop in that time, in addition to new Intel/AMD chips/chipsets, etc in 2027 can effectively drop into my current chassis. It's more akin to a desktop, but way more straight forward andhas factory supported documentation for that. Plus there is the public repo with all the 3d printer designs, library files, and documentation for all sorts of oddball things if you like to tinker.
The primary ROI here is the fact that for anywhere from 50-85% of the cost of a new purchase, I can get another lifecycle on an already purchased asset. That alone is huge, not even factoring in that I can buy a factory supported aftermarket case (Cooler Masters) and recycle the main board to make a PC for my mother or my neighbor down the street.
That and they have an outlet for refurbished or B-Stock items. So you can get a pre-built or outlet item for now, then upgrade later.