HDMI Expansion Card Generations

June 14 2023 4:28pm • Est. Read Time: 2 MIN

Since the release of our Framework HDMI Expansion Card there have been three generations of the card. You can identify which generation of card you have by checking the part number printed on the back of the Expansion Card (outlined in green below)

  • FRACCHBZ01 is the HDMI (1st Gen) Expansion Card
  • FRACCHBZ01-2 is the BETA HDMI (2nd Gen) Expansion Card 
  • FRACCHBZ01-3 is the HDMI (3rd Gen) Expansion Card


HDMI (1st Gen) Expansion Card

The HDMI (1st Gen) Expansion Card was an option on the Framework Laptop 13 (11th Gen Intel Core) and Framework Laptop 13 (12th Gen Intel Core). It supports HDMI 2.0b for resolutions up to 4k 60Hz, along with audio output. With four of these cards, you can support up to four monitors or TVs at that resolution.

BETA HDMI (2nd Gen) Expansion Card

The BETA HDMI (2nd Gen) Expansion Card was shipped as a complimentary add-on to Batch 1 orders of the Framework Laptop 13 (13th Gen Intel Core) that purchased a HDMI Expansion Card via opt-in and reduces system power consumption compared to the previous generation Expansion Card. This is achieved with both hardware and firmware changes, and was announced in this blog post. This generation was provided only to opted-in Batch 1 customers of the Framework Laptop 13 (13th Gen Intel Core) and was not made available for purchase on the Framework Marketplace.

HDMI (3rd Gen) Expansion Card

The HDMI (3rd Gen) Expansion Card has the same improvements as the BETA HDMI (2nd Gen) Expansion Card with some minor adjustments for improved compatibility with external monitors. If you are currently using a HDMI (1st Gen) Expansion Card with any Framework Laptop, upgrading to the HDMI (3rd Gen) Expansion Card can reduce power consumption, and advanced users with soldering experience can convert a 1st Gen card to a 3rd Gen card by following the steps in this guide to rework the hardware and update the firmware of the card. 

If you are currently using a BETA HDMI (2nd Gen) Expansion Card, and you are not experiencing any compatibility issues with your external monitors, there is no benefit in purchasing the HDMI (3rd Gen) Expansion Card as they have the same power savings functionality.