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Framework 16: recommended RAM and charger (feddit.de)
submitted 1 year ago by Pete90@feddit.de to c/framework@lemmy.ml
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I've not been as excited about a piece of tech for a long time. I'm trying to save a few bucks on this somewhat expensive machine and have some questions, which I hope you might be able to answer. Thanks!

I'm planing on bringing my own RAM and storage. Framework lists DDR5 SO-DIMM 5600 as compatible, however they do recommend avoiding XMP. Most modules I found do have XMP. Do they just mean to disable XMP? Any ideas or recommendations?

I'm also hesitant to buy the 180W charger, even though it seems reasonalibly priced. I'm not buying a grafics module just yet, but might in the future and 180W might not be enough power by then. I only want to buy once and couldn't find any higher powered ones on amazon (EU). I only found one 140W charger from UGREEN, which is a brand I've never heard of. Another option would be, to buy a 100W charger now and another one later, but I want to reduce cost and e-waste.

One last question is concerning the input modules. Do I understand it correctly, that both the numpad as well as the macro pad can be used for custom key functions and macros?

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[โ€“] RiftBlade@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Most modules I found do have XMP. Do they just mean to disable XMP? Any ideas or recommendations?

Many modules support higher speed with XMP than with JEDEC (the standard speed of the modules).

Their recommendation to avoid XMP modules is two-fold:

  1. The laptop will not allow the module to run at XMP speeds, so customers shouldn't based their ram purchasing decisions on XMP specs.
  2. With the DDR4 Framework laptops there was an issue where some ram modules with XMP support, particularly from Kingston, would have issues falling back to JEDEC speeds and struggle to boot.

With DDR5 however a lot of RAM brands have started supporting both XMP and JEDEC even if XMP isn't any faster than JEDEC on the modules. This is to bypass any motherboard limits on how fast the ram is allowed to run. This is common enough that I hope this won't cause issues with Framework (ie. Hopefully reason 2 is resolved) and since the XMP and JEDEC are both fast reason 1 doesn't apply.

I'm also hesitant to buy the 180W charger, even though it seems reasonalibly priced. I'm not buying a grafics module just yet, but might in the future and 180W might not be enough power by then. I only want to buy once and couldn't find any higher powered ones on amazon (EU). I only found one 140W charger from UGREEN, which is a brand I've never heard of. Another option would be, to buy a 100W charger now and another one later, but I want to reduce cost and e-waste.

The open standard for USB-C at greater than 100w is pretty new. The few products so far that do support it have been limited to 140w. Framework's charger is the first to go above 140w on the new standard.

UGREEN is a common and reputable brand. After Anker's scandal (major scandal involving their security cameras) UGREEN is now my go-to brand for chargers. I also like Satechi (as they aren't a Chinese company like UGREEN) however they are usually overpriced.

One last question is concerning the input modules. Do I understand it correctly, that both the numpad as well as the macro pad can be used for custom key functions and macros?

IIRC all of them are fully programmable using QMK/VIA.

[โ€“] Pete90@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks a ton for your thorough reply. I since then did some research and came to a similar conclusion.

As you and others pointed out as well, 180W is quite new so I'll go with that one. Never heard of UGREEN before, since I only followed desktop hardware until now.

I also changed my order to a num pad instead of the more expensive macro pad and am planning to program a few macros that I daily use.

Anyway, thank you again!