DS##20+ Upgrade Questions

HomeLab
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Howdy gang, been browsing and watching SpaceRex for awhile.

Considering upgrading Memory and adding NvME Cache.

I’m having a hard time finding recommended memory for my old DS1520+ (should’ve bought the upgrade sooner).

  1. Looking for the Crucial 16GB, and I can’t find new from a seller I’m comfortable with (Amazon 3rd Party, NewEgg 3rd Party, Refurb from Memory4Less). Anyone have recommendations of a currently available stick, or a list/thread for the #20+ with recent recommendations? (I thought I’d bookmarked one awhile back but can’t find it).

  2. Or at this point am I best off going with the $$$ Synology Ram?

  3. NvME Cache going to give me any real benefit on a 1520+?

  4. NvME Cache any recommendation for size?

  5. On the DS1520+ can you run your Docker containers off the cache? (I don’t think this is possible in an official manner.)

I have a DS1520+ with 5x Seagate 12TB IronWolf, and the 8GB of memory from the factory.

Running Plex (Synology installed), Synology Drive, Photos, Active Backup for Business, HyperBackup.

Started playing with Container Manager it is currently running: NPM, VaultWarden, ItTools, Shlink, Navidrome. I have a list of other Docker containers I want to play with.

Currently running about 2% on CPU and 23% on RAM. With low activity on the majority of apps. That will increase as I get Photos setup and the family starts to realize how cool this “toy” is. :smiley:

Thanks for your tips, and all the good info!

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With a 23% RAM use I should not bother about expanding. Most NASs for home use come with 2-4 GB, so your NAS is well equipped already.
An SSD cache can be benificial in specific situations. There is a cache advisor in Storage Manager to guide you by measuring traffic in a 30 day period.

3

Thanks for the response Paul!

I thought 23% was pretty good, but I glanced and noticed it was getting hard to find “approved” non-Synology RAM, and saw mention that the currently available $$$ 16GB Synology RAM might not even work (on the internet, so take that for what it is worth). However, I just got started playing with Docker on the Synology, and have a list of Docker containers I’m interested in messing around with.

I bought a 16GB stick of Timetec 2666 and it seems to be working well.

I launched the cache advisor the other day.

Thanks again for your help!

1 Like
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Great! Here’s a handy table of RAM modules that are known to be compatible with the Synology DS1520+, based on community testing and user reports (unofficial but widely used):

:brain: Compatible 16GB RAM Modules for Synology DS1520+

Brand Model / Part Number Specs Notes
Crucial CT16G4SFD8266 DDR4-2666, CL19, 1.2V Most recommended; often out of stock
Crucial CT16G4SFRA266 DDR4-2666, CL19, 1.2V Newer version; works well
Timetec 76TT26NUS2R8-16G DDR4-2666, CL19, 1.2V Budget-friendly; good user reviews
Silicon Power SP016GBSFU266B02 DDR4-2666, CL19, 1.2V Works reliably, often cheaper
ADATA AD4S266616G19-SGN DDR4-2666, CL19, 1.2V Reported working by multiple users
TeamGroup TED416G2666C19-S01 DDR4-2666, CL19, 1.2V Another solid, affordable choice
Samsung M471A2K43CB1-CTD DDR4-2666, CL19, 1.2V Often pulled from OEM laptops

###:white_check_mark: Tips:

  • Mixing with stock 8GB module? Usually fine, but match speeds and voltages.
  • Best stability? Use two identical sticks (replace the stock 8GB).
  • All above are non-ECC, unbuffered, SODIMM — required for the DS1520+.