Note – This article has been updated to the 22023/2024 to factor in the new DSM, new NAS models and updates to  available memory modules

If you have purchased a new NAS Drive in the last few months, then chances are that you would use it to the best of its abilities by increasing the memory to the maximum in order to run more apps and allow more users to access the device at any time. The latest 2022 Generation of Synology NAS is still not fully established (DS923+, DS1522+, RS422+, DS2422+ and DS3622xs+ so far), but the 2020 and 2021 devices are still very much available and, much like the older gen devices, all arrive with the ability to upgrade the memory to 8GB, but some users like to push this limitation, using unofficial memory from brands like crucial or Kingston, installing bigger and faster memory. Generally speaking, Synology NAS has a long-standing reputation for being underpowered when compared to brands like QNAP and Asustor, at least out of the box, choosing to focus on their award-winning DSM software. This is changing back in 2020 with the Synology drives released then featuring improved hardware choices, but still, for many, it seems a little underwhelming. One potential benefit that’s highlighted to improve performance considerably for multiple users is to upgrade the RAM (Random Access Memory) in the Synology NAS drive. Today’s post will cover my thoughts on the usefulness of upgrading the factory-installed RAM, how to determine if a RAM upgrade is needed at all and exactly how to do this. Let’s start with the latter, do you need to upgrade RAM?

Do you Need to Upgrade the Memory on your Synology NAS?

If you have bought or are considering buying a new Synology NAS and it has an accessible RAM slot (such as at the base of the device in the DS1821+ or tucked into the side of the HDD bays as found in the DS920+) slot then it is incredibly easy to buy a DDR3 or DDR4 memory module and upgrade the RAM during the initialization of the NAS. Crucial RAM is remarkably cheap these days and if you’re buying a Synology NAS model that can be upgraded, the user will almost certainly grow to benefit from the RAM. If you’ve been using the NAS for a while, you can check your memory usage using the Resource Monitor found next to all your other applications. Like most modern operating systems, Synology Disk Station Manager (DSM 6.2, DSM 7.0 or DSM 7.1 depending on your choice) will maximize memory performance so the amount of “free memory” may seem unusually small. Fear not, this is because of the way Synology have geared their OS to be as smooth as possible and DSM will keep old information in memory, for as long as possible, for faster access if it’s needed again in the near future. It can then see when you need further memory for more current concerns and then free up the memory if needed.

In order to genuinely work out if your NAS drive needs more memory, you will need to utilise your Synology device for a while and look at the Memory Monitor during a time of heavy access and usage. Make sure all the apps are running, being accessed/monitored and run all the software, media streams and backups that you normally would on a daily basis. Look at the utilization percentage, not free memory – as this will give you a much, MUCH better understanding of the memory that is required. The reason for this is that the resource monitor will exclude memory buffers and caching that DSM knows it can free up later. If the percentage is near 100%, then you will definitely, definitely need to upgrade in order to future proof as you will clearly you’ll benefit from more memory in your Synology NAS.

Another cool tip (thank you OSQuest) is that you should also change the “Type” filter at the top right of the resource monitor to Swap at look at its genuine utilization. If it’s not showing 0, then you are running out of physical memory at frequent times and Synology DSM is swapping to disk which hurts performance for all applications and users. Adding more memory will avoid this and improve performance across the board!

How to Upgrade Synology NAS RAM

Let’s get down to business. First off, it is hugely important that you know that replacing the factory RAM will likely void the manufacturer’s warranty. So if you have purchased a new Synology NAS with the intent to upgrade the default memory, be sure to run it for a week or so without upgrading first to field test the NAS and make sure there are no pre-existing hardware problems. You can upgrade with OFFICIAL Synology memory, which will not invalidate your warranty, however, it is worth mentioning that Synology official memory is more expensive than the Crucial or Kingston memory counterparts. Pretty much all the Synology Desktop NAS drives are upgraded the same, so you can watch my RAM Upgrade of the Synology DS920+ NAS below:

Upgrading the memory is often very simple indeed and simply a case of powering down the device, installing the new memory modules in the NAS (as long as you have access to them), then booting up the device. It may take a little longer than before to boot, as the new memory will be initialized, but you will not need to do any software configuration and the newly installed memory should appear in the resource monitor for immediate use.

IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ!!!!

Although the Synology NAS memory upgrade process is very easy, it is also very easy to get wrong! It is worth remembering the following points

• Some Synology units have the RAM soldered onto the main internal board, so upgrading these will be impossible (without careful and tricky soldering which will no doubt void the warranty. Examples of Synology NAS that cannot have memory upgrades are DS119j, DS218J, DS118 and DS115j NAS to name but a few.
• If you are upgrading memory, it is always recommended to ‘pair’ the memory. So you should always have 2 equally sized (capacity) sticks of RAM in the slots. It is not necessarily the end of the world too, for example, mix a 2GB and 4GB Memory module (Synology themselves offer this as an official upgrade), but it is generally frowned upon.
• It is always worth checking your CPU or internal architecture in advance on the Synology NAS, as it may well limit the maximum amount of memory you can install. Sometimes you can exceed this (i.e. the DS1520+ with its Intel J4125 CPU has an official limit of 8GB and an unofficial limit of 16GB), but if in doubt, use my free advice section on the right of this page and ask me first.

Important Considerations about Synology NAS and Unofficial Memory Upgrades

Now, let’s get serious real quick. A Synology NAS does not occupy the same importance in your hardware environment as a TV, sound system or even day-to-day PC. A NAS system will often be one of many backups of ALL your data! Therefore exercising caution on how your upgrade/tinker with it can have more dire consequences than simply breaking it – it can lead to the potential loss of genuinely irreplaceable photos, videos and more. Therefore if you are looking at upgrading the memory of your NAS drive and using hardware that is not on a recommended list by the manufacturer, you need to make sure you have your backups in order – have at least two backups (i.e 2 complete copies of your data OUTSIDE of the original file – one on your phone and one on a NAS only means ONE copy!). Additionally, if/when you install ANY new memory, it is highly recommended that you run a quick(ish) memory test using the desktop Synology Assistant application (for Windows/Mac) so that the NAS can check that the memory is good-to-go. Be warned, this process can take several hours (a relatively simple 2GB Transcend DDR4 2400Mhz SODIMM module in a DS920+ in my testing for a YouTube video took just over 1 HOUR and 40 MINUTES) and during that time, access to the NAS is largely impossible (plus the system will re-boot at least once). So ensure you do this during a quicker/downtime moment for your network. Below is a brief overview of where the Memory Test setting of Synology Assistant is and how to enable it:

So, let’s discuss 3rd party memory, Synology NAS and DSM 7.1 on some of the brand’s most popular systems for home/prosumer users – as it is these users who are less inclined to choose the official memory route.

Choosing the Right Memory for a Synology NAS Upgrade

So, you have decided to upgrade the Memory/RAM on your Synology NAS. It is worth mentioning that different NAS drives require different memory types. All too often there are factors that are as follows:

• DDR3 – Easily the most common, this is a memory module that runs at 1600Mhz
• DDR3L – A revision of DDR3, this memory runs at 1866Mhz
• DDR4 – A Newer and high-frequency memory that is available to more modern CPU that runs at between 2133Mhz and 2400Mhz
• ECC – Error Correcting Code Memory, this is a memory module that makes comparisons of data packets as they pass through the memory at the start and finish to ensure they are identical. If not, this memory will automatically heal the file and keep it moving
• SO-DIMM – This is a smaller module of memory and traditionally found in smaller NAS that are 4/5-Bays and smaller. Generally available in upto 16GB in DDR3 and 32GB in DDR4. Larger sizes are available, but not supported in most NAS drives due to CPU memory limits. Outside of NAS, this kind of Memory is found in Laptops and portable hardware
• LONG-DIMM / DIMM – Full-length memory modules that are twice the length of SO-DIMM, typically found in NAS devices of 8-Bay Desktop upwards, or most Rackmount NAS servers. Also available in much, MUCH bigger capacities in both DDR3 and DDR4 in NAS We are even starting to see DDR5 in large enterprise NAS servers too. Outside of NAS, this is easily the most commonly used NAS DIMM size.

Can I still use Unofficial/3rd Party Memory in DSM 7.1?

In short, yes, 3rd arty memory still works in Synology DSM 7.1. However, it also leads to DSM 7.1 displaying a warning notification in the software highlighting the use of an unsupported memory. There is also the fact that the brand might become less able to assist you in any warranty claims from reasonable system hardware failure if the issue can be stemmed in any way to memory. Now, when Synology released the latest revision of their software, DSM 7.1, there were some reports online of users stating that their system would no longer boot with 3rd party memory installed. Although I tested this on the NASCompares YouTube channel with mixed results, I have since RE-TESTED this (on the heavy request of users who did not experience any issues, who queried the results) and in that follow-up testing, ALL 3rd party memory modules worked (video embedded later in the article below). So, it looks confirmed that unofficial/3rd party memory STILL WORKS in DSM 7.1 at the time of writing, which means users still have a choice of choosing the 3rd party RAM route or sticking with the officially provided and branded memory. Below is a range of 10 different modules being tested with DSM 7.1 that was conducted in May 2022:

Is Upgrading the Memory on a Synology NAS worth it?

Many users will avoid updating default Memory on a Synology NAS server while it is still under warranty – thinking that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. However, If you are buying a Synology NAS that supports an official or unofficial user memory upgrade, there’s almost no reason not to do the upgrade. There are practically no disadvantages (none at all, if you buy official Synology Memory) and the benefits will be immediate. You can always wait till later on an upgrade when you notice a drop in performance, however, I would keep an eye on deal websites for your compatible DDR3 or DDR4 Synology NAS supported memory and then grab some when a bargain appears. I do wish some lower capacity NAS’ drives, such as the DS119j, DS218j and DS416slim (that arrive with much less memory soldered to the motherboard than their CPU can handle at maximum) were able to have their memory upgraded, as this becomes a tremendous bottleneck. There are cases where two drive bays are enough in terms of total available storage space (especially with 14TB Seagate and 16TB Toshiba NAS drives in-coming), so you will be able to run a lot of applications, for multiple users, but the rather comical 256MB, 512MB and 1GB memory available in these budget models is just not enough to run DSM to its full potential on these NAS and the result will be that most users will walk away with a very poor opinion of the Synology NAS experience.

Picking RAM

Synology lists the RAM compatible with each user-upgradeable model on their website. You can use this information to get the RAM specifications for your model Synology and then shop around for your preferred memory brand or a good price. Additionally, I have included lines to the third party crucial supported memory for a Synology NAS. Always be sure to check the compatibility before making your purchase, as Synology may have revised the hardware (see examples like the DS216+ and DS216+II).

VERY IMPORTANT – The Links used in the article below towards the correct unofficial memory are occasionally changed (beyond my control) as it will direct you to the site in your own region/country. MAKE SURE to check that the memory module (especially 16 and 32GB SODIMM modules) are DUAL RANK or ‘DR‘, as Synology NAS typically have trouble with SR/SINGLE RANK modules.

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today’s video. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

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If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US

    

 

WE LOVE COFFEE

Note – This article has been updated to the 22023/2024 to factor in the new DSM, new NAS models and updates to  available memory modules

If you have purchased a new NAS Drive in the last few months, then chances are that you would use it to the best of its abilities by increasing the memory to the maximum in order to run more apps and allow more users to access the device at any time. The latest 2022 Generation of Synology NAS is still not fully established (DS923+, DS1522+, RS422+, DS2422+ and DS3622xs+ so far), but the 2020 and 2021 devices are still very much available and, much like the older gen devices, all arrive with the ability to upgrade the memory to 8GB, but some users like to push this limitation, using unofficial memory from brands like crucial or Kingston, installing bigger and faster memory. Generally speaking, Synology NAS has a long-standing reputation for being underpowered when compared to brands like QNAP and Asustor, at least out of the box, choosing to focus on their award-winning DSM software. This is changing back in 2020 with the Synology drives released then featuring improved hardware choices, but still, for many, it seems a little underwhelming. One potential benefit that’s highlighted to improve performance considerably for multiple users is to upgrade the RAM (Random Access Memory) in the Synology NAS drive. Today’s post will cover my thoughts on the usefulness of upgrading the factory-installed RAM, how to determine if a RAM upgrade is needed at all and exactly how to do this. Let’s start with the latter, do you need to upgrade RAM?

Do you Need to Upgrade the Memory on your Synology NAS?

If you have bought or are considering buying a new Synology NAS and it has an accessible RAM slot (such as at the base of the device in the DS1821+ or tucked into the side of the HDD bays as found in the DS920+) slot then it is incredibly easy to buy a DDR3 or DDR4 memory module and upgrade the RAM during the initialization of the NAS. Crucial RAM is remarkably cheap these days and if you’re buying a Synology NAS model that can be upgraded, the user will almost certainly grow to benefit from the RAM. If you’ve been using the NAS for a while, you can check your memory usage using the Resource Monitor found next to all your other applications. Like most modern operating systems, Synology Disk Station Manager (DSM 6.2, DSM 7.0 or DSM 7.1 depending on your choice) will maximize memory performance so the amount of “free memory” may seem unusually small. Fear not, this is because of the way Synology have geared their OS to be as smooth as possible and DSM will keep old information in memory, for as long as possible, for faster access if it’s needed again in the near future. It can then see when you need further memory for more current concerns and then free up the memory if needed.

In order to genuinely work out if your NAS drive needs more memory, you will need to utilise your Synology device for a while and look at the Memory Monitor during a time of heavy access and usage. Make sure all the apps are running, being accessed/monitored and run all the software, media streams and backups that you normally would on a daily basis. Look at the utilization percentage, not free memory – as this will give you a much, MUCH better understanding of the memory that is required. The reason for this is that the resource monitor will exclude memory buffers and caching that DSM knows it can free up later. If the percentage is near 100%, then you will definitely, definitely need to upgrade in order to future proof as you will clearly you’ll benefit from more memory in your Synology NAS.

Another cool tip (thank you OSQuest) is that you should also change the “Type” filter at the top right of the resource monitor to Swap at look at its genuine utilization. If it’s not showing 0, then you are running out of physical memory at frequent times and Synology DSM is swapping to disk which hurts performance for all applications and users. Adding more memory will avoid this and improve performance across the board!

How to Upgrade Synology NAS RAM

Let’s get down to business. First off, it is hugely important that you know that replacing the factory RAM will likely void the manufacturer’s warranty. So if you have purchased a new Synology NAS with the intent to upgrade the default memory, be sure to run it for a week or so without upgrading first to field test the NAS and make sure there are no pre-existing hardware problems. You can upgrade with OFFICIAL Synology memory, which will not invalidate your warranty, however, it is worth mentioning that Synology official memory is more expensive than the Crucial or Kingston memory counterparts. Pretty much all the Synology Desktop NAS drives are upgraded the same, so you can watch my RAM Upgrade of the Synology DS920+ NAS below:

Upgrading the memory is often very simple indeed and simply a case of powering down the device, installing the new memory modules in the NAS (as long as you have access to them), then booting up the device. It may take a little longer than before to boot, as the new memory will be initialized, but you will not need to do any software configuration and the newly installed memory should appear in the resource monitor for immediate use.

IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ!!!!

Although the Synology NAS memory upgrade process is very easy, it is also very easy to get wrong! It is worth remembering the following points

• Some Synology units have the RAM soldered onto the main internal board, so upgrading these will be impossible (without careful and tricky soldering which will no doubt void the warranty. Examples of Synology NAS that cannot have memory upgrades are DS119j, DS218J, DS118 and DS115j NAS to name but a few.
• If you are upgrading memory, it is always recommended to ‘pair’ the memory. So you should always have 2 equally sized (capacity) sticks of RAM in the slots. It is not necessarily the end of the world too, for example, mix a 2GB and 4GB Memory module (Synology themselves offer this as an official upgrade), but it is generally frowned upon.
• It is always worth checking your CPU or internal architecture in advance on the Synology NAS, as it may well limit the maximum amount of memory you can install. Sometimes you can exceed this (i.e. the DS1520+ with its Intel J4125 CPU has an official limit of 8GB and an unofficial limit of 16GB), but if in doubt, use my free advice section on the right of this page and ask me first.

Important Considerations about Synology NAS and Unofficial Memory Upgrades

Now, let’s get serious real quick. A Synology NAS does not occupy the same importance in your hardware environment as a TV, sound system or even day-to-day PC. A NAS system will often be one of many backups of ALL your data! Therefore exercising caution on how your upgrade/tinker with it can have more dire consequences than simply breaking it – it can lead to the potential loss of genuinely irreplaceable photos, videos and more. Therefore if you are looking at upgrading the memory of your NAS drive and using hardware that is not on a recommended list by the manufacturer, you need to make sure you have your backups in order – have at least two backups (i.e 2 complete copies of your data OUTSIDE of the original file – one on your phone and one on a NAS only means ONE copy!). Additionally, if/when you install ANY new memory, it is highly recommended that you run a quick(ish) memory test using the desktop Synology Assistant application (for Windows/Mac) so that the NAS can check that the memory is good-to-go. Be warned, this process can take several hours (a relatively simple 2GB Transcend DDR4 2400Mhz SODIMM module in a DS920+ in my testing for a YouTube video took just over 1 HOUR and 40 MINUTES) and during that time, access to the NAS is largely impossible (plus the system will re-boot at least once). So ensure you do this during a quicker/downtime moment for your network. Below is a brief overview of where the Memory Test setting of Synology Assistant is and how to enable it:

So, let’s discuss 3rd party memory, Synology NAS and DSM 7.1 on some of the brand’s most popular systems for home/prosumer users – as it is these users who are less inclined to choose the official memory route.

Choosing the Right Memory for a Synology NAS Upgrade

So, you have decided to upgrade the Memory/RAM on your Synology NAS. It is worth mentioning that different NAS drives require different memory types. All too often there are factors that are as follows:

• DDR3 – Easily the most common, this is a memory module that runs at 1600Mhz
• DDR3L – A revision of DDR3, this memory runs at 1866Mhz
• DDR4 – A Newer and high-frequency memory that is available to more modern CPU that runs at between 2133Mhz and 2400Mhz
• ECC – Error Correcting Code Memory, this is a memory module that makes comparisons of data packets as they pass through the memory at the start and finish to ensure they are identical. If not, this memory will automatically heal the file and keep it moving
• SO-DIMM – This is a smaller module of memory and traditionally found in smaller NAS that are 4/5-Bays and smaller. Generally available in upto 16GB in DDR3 and 32GB in DDR4. Larger sizes are available, but not supported in most NAS drives due to CPU memory limits. Outside of NAS, this kind of Memory is found in Laptops and portable hardware
• LONG-DIMM / DIMM – Full-length memory modules that are twice the length of SO-DIMM, typically found in NAS devices of 8-Bay Desktop upwards, or most Rackmount NAS servers. Also available in much, MUCH bigger capacities in both DDR3 and DDR4 in NAS We are even starting to see DDR5 in large enterprise NAS servers too. Outside of NAS, this is easily the most commonly used NAS DIMM size.

Can I still use Unofficial/3rd Party Memory in DSM 7.1?

In short, yes, 3rd arty memory still works in Synology DSM 7.1. However, it also leads to DSM 7.1 displaying a warning notification in the software highlighting the use of an unsupported memory. There is also the fact that the brand might become less able to assist you in any warranty claims from reasonable system hardware failure if the issue can be stemmed in any way to memory. Now, when Synology released the latest revision of their software, DSM 7.1, there were some reports online of users stating that their system would no longer boot with 3rd party memory installed. Although I tested this on the NASCompares YouTube channel with mixed results, I have since RE-TESTED this (on the heavy request of users who did not experience any issues, who queried the results) and in that follow-up testing, ALL 3rd party memory modules worked (video embedded later in the article below). So, it looks confirmed that unofficial/3rd party memory STILL WORKS in DSM 7.1 at the time of writing, which means users still have a choice of choosing the 3rd party RAM route or sticking with the officially provided and branded memory. Below is a range of 10 different modules being tested with DSM 7.1 that was conducted in May 2022:

Is Upgrading the Memory on a Synology NAS worth it?

Many users will avoid updating default Memory on a Synology NAS server while it is still under warranty – thinking that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. However, If you are buying a Synology NAS that supports an official or unofficial user memory upgrade, there’s almost no reason not to do the upgrade. There are practically no disadvantages (none at all, if you buy official Synology Memory) and the benefits will be immediate. You can always wait till later on an upgrade when you notice a drop in performance, however, I would keep an eye on deal websites for your compatible DDR3 or DDR4 Synology NAS supported memory and then grab some when a bargain appears. I do wish some lower capacity NAS’ drives, such as the DS119j, DS218j and DS416slim (that arrive with much less memory soldered to the motherboard than their CPU can handle at maximum) were able to have their memory upgraded, as this becomes a tremendous bottleneck. There are cases where two drive bays are enough in terms of total available storage space (especially with 14TB Seagate and 16TB Toshiba NAS drives in-coming), so you will be able to run a lot of applications, for multiple users, but the rather comical 256MB, 512MB and 1GB memory available in these budget models is just not enough to run DSM to its full potential on these NAS and the result will be that most users will walk away with a very poor opinion of the Synology NAS experience.

Picking RAM

Synology lists the RAM compatible with each user-upgradeable model on their website. You can use this information to get the RAM specifications for your model Synology and then shop around for your preferred memory brand or a good price. Additionally, I have included lines to the third party crucial supported memory for a Synology NAS. Always be sure to check the compatibility before making your purchase, as Synology may have revised the hardware (see examples like the DS216+ and DS216+II).

VERY IMPORTANT – The Links used in the article below towards the correct unofficial memory are occasionally changed (beyond my control) as it will direct you to the site in your own region/country. MAKE SURE to check that the memory module (especially 16 and 32GB SODIMM modules) are DUAL RANK or ‘DR‘, as Synology NAS typically have trouble with SR/SINGLE RANK modules.

This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today’s video. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

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Want to follow specific category? Also Read...Week 49 Tech Round-Up - SynolBlack Friday 2024 - Data StoraStellar Toolkit for Data RecovSynology Black Friday 2024 DeaSynology NAS Zero-Day VulnerabSynology Black Friday 2024 DeaBlack Friday 2024 - Data StoraWeek 43 Tech Roundup - UniFi FNew Synology BST170-8T NAS LeaNew Synology BST170-8T Intel P Subscribe

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This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below

Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

TRY CHAT

If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US

    

 

WE LOVE COFFEE

Note – This article has been updated to the 22023/2024 to factor in the new DSM, new NAS models and updates to  available memory modules

If you have purchased a new NAS Drive in the last few months, then chances are that you would use it to the best of its abilities by increasing the memory to the maximum in order to run more apps and allow more users to access the device at any time. The latest 2022 Generation of Synology NAS is still not fully established (DS923+, DS1522+, RS422+, DS2422+ and DS3622xs+ so far), but the 2020 and 2021 devices are still very much available and, much like the older gen devices, all arrive with the ability to upgrade the memory to 8GB, but some users like to push this limitation, using unofficial memory from brands like crucial or Kingston, installing bigger and faster memory. Generally speaking, Synology NAS has a long-standing reputation for being underpowered when compared to brands like QNAP and Asustor, at least out of the box, choosing to focus on their award-winning DSM software. This is changing back in 2020 with the Synology drives released then featuring improved hardware choices, but still, for many, it seems a little underwhelming. One potential benefit that’s highlighted to improve performance considerably for multiple users is to upgrade the RAM (Random Access Memory) in the Synology NAS drive. Today’s post will cover my thoughts on the usefulness of upgrading the factory-installed RAM, how to determine if a RAM upgrade is needed at all and exactly how to do this. Let’s start with the latter, do you need to upgrade RAM?

Do you Need to Upgrade the Memory on your Synology NAS?

If you have bought or are considering buying a new Synology NAS and it has an accessible RAM slot (such as at the base of the device in the DS1821+ or tucked into the side of the HDD bays as found in the DS920+) slot then it is incredibly easy to buy a DDR3 or DDR4 memory module and upgrade the RAM during the initialization of the NAS. Crucial RAM is remarkably cheap these days and if you’re buying a Synology NAS model that can be upgraded, the user will almost certainly grow to benefit from the RAM. If you’ve been using the NAS for a while, you can check your memory usage using the Resource Monitor found next to all your other applications. Like most modern operating systems, Synology Disk Station Manager (DSM 6.2, DSM 7.0 or DSM 7.1 depending on your choice) will maximize memory performance so the amount of “free memory” may seem unusually small. Fear not, this is because of the way Synology have geared their OS to be as smooth as possible and DSM will keep old information in memory, for as long as possible, for faster access if it’s needed again in the near future. It can then see when you need further memory for more current concerns and then free up the memory if needed.

In order to genuinely work out if your NAS drive needs more memory, you will need to utilise your Synology device for a while and look at the Memory Monitor during a time of heavy access and usage. Make sure all the apps are running, being accessed/monitored and run all the software, media streams and backups that you normally would on a daily basis. Look at the utilization percentage, not free memory – as this will give you a much, MUCH better understanding of the memory that is required. The reason for this is that the resource monitor will exclude memory buffers and caching that DSM knows it can free up later. If the percentage is near 100%, then you will definitely, definitely need to upgrade in order to future proof as you will clearly you’ll benefit from more memory in your Synology NAS.

Another cool tip (thank you OSQuest) is that you should also change the “Type” filter at the top right of the resource monitor to Swap at look at its genuine utilization. If it’s not showing 0, then you are running out of physical memory at frequent times and Synology DSM is swapping to disk which hurts performance for all applications and users. Adding more memory will avoid this and improve performance across the board!

How to Upgrade Synology NAS RAM

Let’s get down to business. First off, it is hugely important that you know that replacing the factory RAM will likely void the manufacturer’s warranty. So if you have purchased a new Synology NAS with the intent to upgrade the default memory, be sure to run it for a week or so without upgrading first to field test the NAS and make sure there are no pre-existing hardware problems. You can upgrade with OFFICIAL Synology memory, which will not invalidate your warranty, however, it is worth mentioning that Synology official memory is more expensive than the Crucial or Kingston memory counterparts. Pretty much all the Synology Desktop NAS drives are upgraded the same, so you can watch my RAM Upgrade of the Synology DS920+ NAS below:

Upgrading the memory is often very simple indeed and simply a case of powering down the device, installing the new memory modules in the NAS (as long as you have access to them), then booting up the device. It may take a little longer than before to boot, as the new memory will be initialized, but you will not need to do any software configuration and the newly installed memory should appear in the resource monitor for immediate use.

IMPORTANT!!! PLEASE READ!!!!

Although the Synology NAS memory upgrade process is very easy, it is also very easy to get wrong! It is worth remembering the following points

• Some Synology units have the RAM soldered onto the main internal board, so upgrading these will be impossible (without careful and tricky soldering which will no doubt void the warranty. Examples of Synology NAS that cannot have memory upgrades are DS119j, DS218J, DS118 and DS115j NAS to name but a few.
• If you are upgrading memory, it is always recommended to ‘pair’ the memory. So you should always have 2 equally sized (capacity) sticks of RAM in the slots. It is not necessarily the end of the world too, for example, mix a 2GB and 4GB Memory module (Synology themselves offer this as an official upgrade), but it is generally frowned upon.
• It is always worth checking your CPU or internal architecture in advance on the Synology NAS, as it may well limit the maximum amount of memory you can install. Sometimes you can exceed this (i.e. the DS1520+ with its Intel J4125 CPU has an official limit of 8GB and an unofficial limit of 16GB), but if in doubt, use my free advice section on the right of this page and ask me first.

Important Considerations about Synology NAS and Unofficial Memory Upgrades

Now, let’s get serious real quick. A Synology NAS does not occupy the same importance in your hardware environment as a TV, sound system or even day-to-day PC. A NAS system will often be one of many backups of ALL your data! Therefore exercising caution on how your upgrade/tinker with it can have more dire consequences than simply breaking it – it can lead to the potential loss of genuinely irreplaceable photos, videos and more. Therefore if you are looking at upgrading the memory of your NAS drive and using hardware that is not on a recommended list by the manufacturer, you need to make sure you have your backups in order – have at least two backups (i.e 2 complete copies of your data OUTSIDE of the original file – one on your phone and one on a NAS only means ONE copy!). Additionally, if/when you install ANY new memory, it is highly recommended that you run a quick(ish) memory test using the desktop Synology Assistant application (for Windows/Mac) so that the NAS can check that the memory is good-to-go. Be warned, this process can take several hours (a relatively simple 2GB Transcend DDR4 2400Mhz SODIMM module in a DS920+ in my testing for a YouTube video took just over 1 HOUR and 40 MINUTES) and during that time, access to the NAS is largely impossible (plus the system will re-boot at least once). So ensure you do this during a quicker/downtime moment for your network. Below is a brief overview of where the Memory Test setting of Synology Assistant is and how to enable it:

So, let’s discuss 3rd party memory, Synology NAS and DSM 7.1 on some of the brand’s most popular systems for home/prosumer users – as it is these users who are less inclined to choose the official memory route.

Choosing the Right Memory for a Synology NAS Upgrade

So, you have decided to upgrade the Memory/RAM on your Synology NAS. It is worth mentioning that different NAS drives require different memory types. All too often there are factors that are as follows:

• DDR3 – Easily the most common, this is a memory module that runs at 1600Mhz
• DDR3L – A revision of DDR3, this memory runs at 1866Mhz
• DDR4 – A Newer and high-frequency memory that is available to more modern CPU that runs at between 2133Mhz and 2400Mhz
• ECC – Error Correcting Code Memory, this is a memory module that makes comparisons of data packets as they pass through the memory at the start and finish to ensure they are identical. If not, this memory will automatically heal the file and keep it moving
• SO-DIMM – This is a smaller module of memory and traditionally found in smaller NAS that are 4/5-Bays and smaller. Generally available in upto 16GB in DDR3 and 32GB in DDR4. Larger sizes are available, but not supported in most NAS drives due to CPU memory limits. Outside of NAS, this kind of Memory is found in Laptops and portable hardware
• LONG-DIMM / DIMM – Full-length memory modules that are twice the length of SO-DIMM, typically found in NAS devices of 8-Bay Desktop upwards, or most Rackmount NAS servers. Also available in much, MUCH bigger capacities in both DDR3 and DDR4 in NAS We are even starting to see DDR5 in large enterprise NAS servers too. Outside of NAS, this is easily the most commonly used NAS DIMM size.

Can I still use Unofficial/3rd Party Memory in DSM 7.1?

In short, yes, 3rd arty memory still works in Synology DSM 7.1. However, it also leads to DSM 7.1 displaying a warning notification in the software highlighting the use of an unsupported memory. There is also the fact that the brand might become less able to assist you in any warranty claims from reasonable system hardware failure if the issue can be stemmed in any way to memory. Now, when Synology released the latest revision of their software, DSM 7.1, there were some reports online of users stating that their system would no longer boot with 3rd party memory installed. Although I tested this on the NASCompares YouTube channel with mixed results, I have since RE-TESTED this (on the heavy request of users who did not experience any issues, who queried the results) and in that follow-up testing, ALL 3rd party memory modules worked (video embedded later in the article below). So, it looks confirmed that unofficial/3rd party memory STILL WORKS in DSM 7.1 at the time of writing, which means users still have a choice of choosing the 3rd party RAM route or sticking with the officially provided and branded memory. Below is a range of 10 different modules being tested with DSM 7.1 that was conducted in May 2022:

Is Upgrading the Memory on a Synology NAS worth it?

Many users will avoid updating default Memory on a Synology NAS server while it is still under warranty – thinking that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. However, If you are buying a Synology NAS that supports an official or unofficial user memory upgrade, there’s almost no reason not to do the upgrade. There are practically no disadvantages (none at all, if you buy official Synology Memory) and the benefits will be immediate. You can always wait till later on an upgrade when you notice a drop in performance, however, I would keep an eye on deal websites for your compatible DDR3 or DDR4 Synology NAS supported memory and then grab some when a bargain appears. I do wish some lower capacity NAS’ drives, such as the DS119j, DS218j and DS416slim (that arrive with much less memory soldered to the motherboard than their CPU can handle at maximum) were able to have their memory upgraded, as this becomes a tremendous bottleneck. There are cases where two drive bays are enough in terms of total available storage space (especially with 14TB Seagate and 16TB Toshiba NAS drives in-coming), so you will be able to run a lot of applications, for multiple users, but the rather comical 256MB, 512MB and 1GB memory available in these budget models is just not enough to run DSM to its full potential on these NAS and the result will be that most users will walk away with a very poor opinion of the Synology NAS experience.

Picking RAM

Synology lists the RAM compatible with each user-upgradeable model on their website. You can use this information to get the RAM specifications for your model Synology and then shop around for your preferred memory brand or a good price. Additionally, I have included lines to the third party crucial supported memory for a Synology NAS. Always be sure to check the compatibility before making your purchase, as Synology may have revised the hardware (see examples like the DS216+ and DS216+II).

VERY IMPORTANT – The Links used in the article below towards the correct unofficial memory are occasionally changed (beyond my control) as it will direct you to the site in your own region/country. MAKE SURE to check that the memory module (especially 16 and 32GB SODIMM modules) are DUAL RANK or ‘DR‘, as Synology NAS typically have trouble with SR/SINGLE RANK modules.