I have recently in a moment of shopping craze, bought a RAM stick from Amazon. I bought this stick to be upgrading Synology DS1520 RAM. I hope this is not an un-necessary move (some information on the internet stated that this is not really useful) but since I bought it, oh well 🙂
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About the RAM in Synology DS1520+
This article aims to explore the benefits of upgrading the RAM in the DS1520+ unit from 8GB to 20GB for maximum efficiency. By utilizing ECC memory modules, this upgrade can significantly enhance the performance and overall operation of the system.
My DS1520+ NAS unit, which features Intel Celeron J4125 4-core 2.0 GHz, comes with 8 GB or RAM DDR4 non-ECC (4 GB onboard & 4 GB SO-DIMM).
FYI that the latest model is the DS1522+.
The installation process involves shutting down the system, gently removing the existing modules, and installing the new RAM module with the correct orientation. After reconnecting the necessary cables, the DSM should identify the upgraded 20GB RAM, allowing the system to function optimally.
Why Upgrade RAM?
Upgrading RAM from 8GB to 20GB using ECC memory modules in the DS1520+ unit can significantly enhance system performance and efficiency.
RAM (Random Access Memory) plays a crucial role in a computer system by temporarily storing data that is actively being processed. With a higher amount of RAM, the system can handle more data simultaneously, resulting in improved multitasking capabilities and faster data access times.
This upgrade is particularly beneficial for resource-intensive tasks such as running multiple applications, virtualization, and data analysis. Additionally, ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory modules provide an added layer of reliability by detecting and correcting errors in real-time, ensuring the integrity of data stored in RAM.
To install the new RAM modules for increased system capacity, the installation process involves shutting down the system, gently pushing out the clips, and correctly orienting and installing the upgraded modules.
Purchasing RAM for Upgrading Synology DS1520 RAM
Of course, you should purchase a new RAM stick. The RAM stick I bought was a “Samsung 16GB DDR4 PC4-21300, 2666MHZ, 260 PIN SODIMM, 1.2V, CL 19 laptop ram memory module“.
Why this stick.. I just google and read it from Reddit that it works for my DS1520+ Synology. Buy at my own risk 🙁
I bought this from Amazon (link: https://amzn.to/3D9ZEQp) at USD34. However, shipping and GST brought the price up to USD44.57.
I ordered on 4th July 2023 and received it on 11th July 2023. Very nice 🙂
Installation Process of Upgrading Synology DS1520 RAM
Before shutting down the Synology, check the system specs for the RAM size being used,
Firstly, the system needs to be turned off to ensure safety during the installation process. You then take out all the disk trays (make sure you take out carefully and place them in the specific order you took them out. You need to place them back in the specific order too).
If the DS1520+ is dirty, you should take the chance to do some cleaning up too. Read this blog post on how to clean the Synology DS1520+ correctly.
You can then find the one 4GB RAM stick (from Synology) on the right side of the DS1520+.
Wait why isn’t the Synology RAM stick 8GB but only 4GB ?
Apparently the DS1520+ comes with 8 GB DDR4 non-ECC but 4 GB are soldered onboard & the other 4 GB are on a RAM stick.
Now you should find the clips that are holding the existing RAM modules and they need to be gently pushed out to release the RAM stick.
Here you go. The original Synology RAM stick at the top and the one I bought at the bottom.
The upgraded RAM modules, which in this case are Samsung RAM with a capacity of 16GB, should be correctly oriented and inserted into the memory slots. There is only one way to push it in (and please don’t force it in), so you cannot go wrong. It is also important to ensure that the clips clicked in securely to hold the modules in place.
Once the modules are installed, all the disks can be put back in the correct order, and the power and network cable can be connected again.
Take a deep breath and then start the Synology DS1520+ by pressing that button on the right hand side…
And pray….. like mad….
Confirmation of Upgrading Synology DS1520 RAM
Once the system is powered on, the DSM should display the upgraded memory capacity of 20GB. The memory is 4GB onboarded RAM and also the 16GB RAM stick too for a total of 20GB.
I can see that from the system information in DSM of the Synology that the RAM is now 20GB.
So I guess all that is left now is to perform various tasks on the system to assess its performance and efficiency. This may include:
- Running resource-intensive applications.
- Multitasking to observe any improvements in speed and responsiveness.
But for now, I am happy to just let it be.
Don’t spoil will do 🙂
As part of this upgrade, I also bought two Samsung 970 EVO Plus Series – 1TB to use as a SSD storage drive for my DS 1520+ too.. read about that process of creating a SSD volume on Synology using NVMe slots.
