Framework's 10G Ethernet module exposes USB-C's complexity
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Deep technical dive into USB-C complexity via Framework module, highly relevant to hardware/cloud infrastructure engineers.
Jeff Geerling's testing of the WisdPi 10G Ethernet Expansion Card for Framework laptops reveals that USB-C's bandwidth complexity and the Realtek RTL8159 controller's requirement for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) often bottleneck performance to well under 8 Gbps on many Framework models, including the Framework 13 with AMD Ryzen AI 5 340. Even on the Framework 12, which officially supports Gen 2x2, Linux on Ubuntu 26.04 with kernel 7.x failed to achieve more than 7 Gbps due to driver issues, while Windows 11 with the Realtek driver reached 9.4+ Gbps but introduced thermal concerns with the module hitting nearly 70°C. Geerling recommends the $99 card only for users who need speeds beyond the 2.5 Gbps offered by Framework's $40 Ethernet Expansion Card and who can avoid lap use due to heat.