The AOOSTAR EG02 is a dual-mode eGPU dock that connects a desktop graphics card over either Thunderbolt 5 or a native OCuLink (PCIe 4.0 x4) link, using an Intel JHL9480 Thunderbolt 5 controller. It is an open-frame dock that accepts ATX/SFX power supplies (not included) and provides 140W host charging over the Thunderbolt 5 connection. It is distinct from the AOOSTAR AG02, which is USB4-only.
The Corsair MP300 is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD in the M.2 2230 form factor. The 2TB variant is confirmed working in the Framework Laptop 12 (Intel). Note that Corsair reused the "MP300" model name across two revisions — the 2024 batch uses a Phison E27T controller with 162-layer Kioxia TLC NAND, while a newer revision uses QLC NAND, so check the listing carefully if longevity matters.
Summary
The FW16 PCIe x16 Expansion Bay is an open-source community hardware project by Ether-Nova that provides a fully powered PCIe x16 physical slot on a board designed to sit in the Framework Laptop 16's expansion bay shell. The slot provides x8 electrical (PCIe Gen 4) since the Framework 16 exposes a maximum of 8 PCIe lanes through its expansion bay interface, and can deliver up to 75W of power.
The Lexar NM790 is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD in the M.2 2280 form factor. Despite being DRAM-less (Maxio MAP1602 controller), it delivers strong performance (up to 7,400 MB/s sequential read) with excellent idle power efficiency, and is widely praised in the Framework community as one of the best-value high-capacity drives.
The Minisforum DEG2 is a dual-mode open-frame eGPU dock that connects a desktop graphics card over either Thunderbolt 5 or a native OCuLink (PCIe 4.0 x4) link, selected via a hardware switch. It uses an Intel JHL9480 Thunderbolt 5 controller and adds a downstream Thunderbolt 5 port, 2.5GbE Ethernet, and an M.2 2280 slot. It is the Thunderbolt 5 successor to the Minisforum DEG1, which is OCuLink-only.
The Samsung 990 Pro is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD in the M.2 2280 form factor, with sequential reads up to 7,450 MB/s. It is a popular high-performance community choice for Framework laptops, confirmed working without storage-related issues.
The SanDisk Optimus GX 7100M is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD in the compact M.2 2230 form factor, built on the SanDisk A101-000171-A1 controller (DRAM-less/HMB) and 218-layer BiCS8 TLC NAND. It delivers sequential reads up to 7,250 MB/s and writes up to 6,900 MB/s. Reviewed by Tom's Hardware in August 2026, it was called "the best 2230 drive you can buy," making it a strong candidate for the Framework Laptop 12 and Framework Storage Expansion Cards.
The TEAMGROUP MP44S is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD in the M.2 2230 form factor, suited to the Framework Laptop 16's secondary slot and the Framework Laptop 12. It is confirmed working as the sole drive in a FW16 running Arch Linux.
The WD_BLACK SN7100 is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD (NVMe 1.4) in the M.2 2280 form factor, built on the WD/SanDisk Polaris 3 A101 controller and Kioxia 218-layer BiCS8 TLC NAND. Despite the high "7100" model number it is a PCIe Gen4 drive, not Gen5. It delivers sequential reads up to 7,250 MB/s and writes up to 6,900 MB/s with notably strong power efficiency, and was used in the Framework Laptop 13 Pro review unit tested by Tom's Hardware.
The WD_BLACK SN770M is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD in the compact M.2 2230 form factor — the size used by the Framework Laptop 16's secondary storage slot and the Framework Laptop 12. It is one of the few 2TB TLC 2230 drives available and is confirmed fitting and working in the FW16 alongside a 2280 primary.
The WD_BLACK SN850X is a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD in the M.2 2280 form factor. It is one of Framework's officially compatibility-tested drives and a frequent community choice for the primary storage slot, with sequential reads up to 7,300 MB/s. Framework ships the related enterprise SN810 drive in pre-built Laptop 16 configurations.