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Razer Core X eGPU Enclosure

The Razer Core X is a Thunderbolt 3 eGPU enclosure that accepts a full-size desktop PCIe graphics card and provides up to 100W of power delivery back to the host laptop. It is the most widely used and best-documented eGPU enclosure in the Framework community, confirmed working across the Framework 13 (Intel and AMD) and the Framework 161234. A variant, the Razer Core X Chroma, adds a gigabit Ethernet port and a 4-port USB-A hub.

Specifications​

SpecValue
TypeThunderbolt 3 (USB4 compatible)
Host power delivery100W
Power supply650W (Core X) / 700W (Chroma)
GPU slotFull-height, double-width, up to 3-slot
ControllerIntel Alpine/Titan Ridge
Extra I/ONone (Core X) / Gigabit Ethernet + 4x USB-A (Chroma)

Framework Compatibility​

ModelStatusNotes
Framework Laptop 13 (Intel 11th/12th/13th Gen)Works4TB3/TB4
Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen 7040)Works2Use a USB4 port (2 of 4 slots are USB4)
Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra)WorksTB4
Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300)Works2Use a USB4 port (top two slots)
Framework Laptop 16Works13100W PD covers iGPU-only use
Framework Laptop 12IncompatibleNo USB4/Thunderbolt hardware5
The included cable may not deliver full speed

Multiple Framework users found the Razer-supplied TB3 cable either failed to enumerate the GPU (Code 45) or capped bandwidth. Swapping to a certified active USB4/TB4 cable resolved full 32 Gbps PCIe tunneling in confirmed cases4. If your GPU shows as "disconnected" (Code 45) or reports reduced bandwidth, replace the cable first.

Windows BitLocker / boot order

On Windows with BitLocker, booting with the eGPU already connected can trigger a recovery-key prompt. Connect the eGPU after boot, or disable USB4 measured boot in the BIOS. On the FW16 specifically, booting last with the eGPU connected (then unplugging) also confused the TPM until users disabled USB4 measured boot3.

External display recommended

Displaying on an external monitor connected directly to the eGPU avoids the bandwidth cost of looping the image back through the Thunderbolt link to the internal panel. Internal-display use can cost noticeable performance4.

Where to Buy​

StoreLink
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Footnotes​

  1. TB3 eGPU success story (Razer Core X) — Framework Community ↩ ↩2

  2. [SOLVED] Framework 13 (AMD 7640U) + Razer Core X (RTX 4070)](https://community.frame.work/t/solved-framework-13-amd-7640u-razer-core-x-rtx-4070-egpu-not-initializing-code-45/74948) — Framework Community ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  3. eGPU support (Framework Laptop 16) — Framework Community ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  4. [SOLVED] eGPU card not seen](https://community.frame.work/t/solved-egpu-card-not-seen/23471) — Framework Community ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  5. Framework 12 does not work with eGPU (Razer Core X) — Framework Community ↩