Synology DS420+ NAS - Unofficial 16GB and 32GB Memory Upgrade Tests

Memory I tested in this video (with amazon links):

Other Memory that has been tested and worked:

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 a fee from qualifying purchases.

If you have purchased a new NAS Drive in the last few months, then chances are that you would use it to the best if its abilities 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 2020 Generation of Synology NAS (the DS920+, DS420+, DS720+ and DS220+), 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 a bit in 2019/2020 with the newer Synology drives featuring improved hardware choices, but still, for many, it seems a little underwhelming. One potential benefit that’s highlighted to improve performance considerably 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?

[lionintu]

that crucial 16 will be looking real nice in my 920+

[jungleboyfromoz]

Very interesting with the success of the 16GB module. Curious why you never test a 8GB module since there maybe a greater success rate 🤔
The 220 and the 420 have the same processor and base ram. Perhaps just a matter of time before the graphical distortion begins to appear 🤷🏼‍♂️

[farmfarm]

Thank you! But there’s question - can all available memory be fully utilized? Can you please run multiple virtual machines for full memory utilize and run stable check for about day?

[thuymy]

Few commenters stated that the CPU for this DS420+ Intel Celeron J4025 which actually supports only 8GB according to Intel datasheet. There is no point of upgrade more than a single 4GB module. Yes you can add more and it may works as it boot up but the OS can't use more than what the CPU can't handle. To truly test usability, log in the shell/terminal and forks of threads and see if you can actually allocate more memory than 8GB. Highly doubt it.

[johngalt]

You should test if you can use all that memory. Just because it shows up that you have that much memory it doesn't mean you can use it all.

[panoshountis]

I've seen a video clip suggesting that upgrading the RAM over the officially supported threshold confuses the way DSM manages caching. Would be beneficial to try an unofficial upgrade with the NVMe caching.

[thachvu]

By looking at the screen shot of memory utility, it looks like the 16 GB RAM doesn't get utilized by Synology, all 16 GB RAM free, not even cached works. Only the 2GB RAM came with the device works. I installed the Kingston 4GB RAM non ECC CL19 and all 6GB RAM got utilized. Synology only supports up to 6GB RAM so extra RAM might just be a waste. Intel Celeron J4025 CPU only supports 8GB RAM on this NAS.

[okidave]

It is very Appleish of Synology to only support their overpriced RAM modules. There are only three major memory manufacturers in the world. I'd be interested to know how Synology can justify the price and warranty stipulations.

[uetrtdv]

Did some testing with 32GB modules before I found this video. I ended up using a 16GB 3200MHz module instead of 2666MHz because there isn't much of a cost difference. The NAS works well with a bit of speed up using the 3200MHZ module as its more to do with the increase in RAM. The 16GB DDR4 module I used is a Samsung M471A2K43DB1-CWE with a memory arrangement 2RX8 (dual rank). Be sure to buy dual rank for your Synology memory upgrades, supposedly they work better.

[Digitalnights]

It's been two years... anyone notice any issues since this release?

[Earl_Robinson_UK]

I get the blue flashing like you get with a 32gb with 8GB and 16GB sticks

[ErraticPT]

Graphical inconsistencies almost certainly done on purpose so when a customer sees it they think its bust and contacts them with it they can id it even if the additional ram is removed. Shoddy anti consumer practice if you ask me.
Glad to see maybe they learnt this time.

[criptoportugal]

You can change the disks order no problem thats why the disks trays are not numbered. Qnap its different at least in ooder models 🤔🙄🔆🔆🔆

[criptoportugal]

The cpu does not handle 34gb of ram? Unsolder the 2 gb and you may get luck with the 32gb 🤔🙄✋🔆🔆🔆

[midwestconcertvideo]

Do you have a link to the 16 gig module?

[rodolforts]

should this work with 1520+ as well? 16gb and 32gb?

[tdevosodense]

Hwo is suppling ram to synology (oem) ?? 🤔

[martynaslukas]

Intel Celeron J4025 only supports max 8gb of RAM. I can not see it using more than 2gb with 16gb stick. This video smells fishy... Not sure why synology installs only 2gb and offer 4gb as upgrade.

[friscokid]

It followed your directions with the ddr4 16 gb, but it was not accepted.... I can not figure out why. You think they adapted the DSM to no longer accept foreign RAM?

[nijian]

I can't think of a more stupid thing Synology can do than this (only its own branded RAM)!!! I have had 3 Synology NAS units at home and it's time for me to find an alternative brand!