Does Synology DSM 7.2 Stop 3rd Party Memory Upgrades?

Last updated on 14 Jun 2023 📧 Subscribe
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1 Will Upgrading Your Synology NAS to DSM 7.2 Stop You From Using Third-Party Memory?
1.1 Synology and 3rd Party Memory Use – A Disclaimer
2 How I Tested A Synology NAS with 3rd Party Memory, Upgrading from DSM 7.1 > 7.2
3 What Are the Dangers of Using 3rd Party Memory in a Synology NAS? Or Exceeding the Maximum Amount of RAM?
4 Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

Will Upgrading Your Synology NAS to DSM 7.2 Stop You From Using Third-Party Memory?

As great as it is that Synology recently released the latest version of its premium NAS software, DSM 7.2, there are always going to be detractors hesitant to upgrade their systems with the latest firmware. Despite the obvious benefits new software updates often bring, such as feature updates, compatibility improvements, stability, and security updates, all too often we will hold off updating software in case something that has always worked suddenly doesn’t! You only have to look at the sheer number of people refusing to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11 to see that for some, change is not always good. However, in the case of updating your Synology NAS to a bigger and newer software revision, there is also the question of unofficial and unsupported configurations and how this impacts their use after a big update. Although many users will use custom code or applications from sites such as Synocommunity on their Synology NAS (which are easily broken by larger DSM updates anyway), the big question for many is: Will updating your Synology NAS to DSM 7.2 result in your third-party memory and unsupported memory configuration ceasing to work? In this article, I conduct two different tests on a Synology DS923+ to test the impact of upgrading your NAS from DSM 7.1 to DSM 7.2.

DS923+(Arrives with ECC Memory)

Testing Video on YouTube HERE

 DDR4-2466 ECC Unbuffered SO-DIMM 260pin 1.2V D4ES02-8G (ECC)

D4ES01-16G (ECC)

 Crucial ECC 4GB – Buy Here

Kingston NON-ECC 4GB- Buy Here

Crucial NON-ECC 8GB – Buy Here

Kingston NON-ECC 8GB- Buy Here

Crucial NON-ECC 16GB – Buy Here

Kingston NON-ECC 16GB- Buy Here

Kingston NON-ECC 32GB – Buy Here

Kingston ECC 8GB – Buy Here

Arch ECC 16GB – Buy Here

vColour ECC 32GB- Buy Here

Synology and 3rd Party Memory Use – A Disclaimer

It’s important to keep in mind that when using third-party memory or unsupported memory configurations in your Synology NAS, you are using the system in a way that Synology does not endorse and may result in them being unable to support you long-term in the event of system failure or software issues. We have performed numerous tests here on NAS Compares of installing third-party memory from the likes of Kingston, Crucial, Samsung, and Sabrent in Synology NAS systems and although we have not encountered any issues using it, there is still no avoiding that this may lead to your system flagging the memory as an unsupported configuration and be noted internally within the system logs. So, keep in mind that if you opt for non-Synology branded memory, you are using the system outside of the usual supported remit of the brand, and it might result in the system behaving in an unpredictable fashion, according to Synology. They also suggest that you should always run the inbuilt memory test function of the Synology Assistant client application when installing any new memory module on your Synology NAS, to ensure that the memory you install is working perfectly.

How I Tested A Synology NAS with 3rd Party Memory, Upgrading from DSM 7.1 > 7.2

In order to conduct this test, I am using a Synology DS923+. It has been updated to DSM 7.1.1 and has two 16GB Crucial DDR4 memory modules already installed.

These have been working for months, and I have seen no issues inside this Synology NAS. Also, the system has a RAID 5 configuration with three Ultrastar 10TB hard drives, but that is not too important here.

The next step was downloading DSM 7.2 from the official Synology Download Center. Once this was done, I went to the control panel of the Synology DS923+ and updated the system to DSM 7.2.

I am pleased to confirm that the NAS updated to DSM 7.2 swiftly and although there was a slight delay as individual applications were updated to be compatible from DSM 7.1 to DSM 7.2, the system rebooted successfully and I can confirm that both Crucial 16GB memory modules functioned and were seen by the system.

I can also confirm that the memory modules were present in the resource monitor of DSM and were available to be used just as they were in DSM 7.1 previously.

Next, I wanted to test if DSM 7.2 limited users who are running greater than recommended memory configurations on their Synology NAS. For this, I planned to upgrade the 2x 16GB Crucial memory modules to 2x 32GB Kingston memory modules. It’s worth highlighting that the CPU in the DS923+ only supports up to a maximum 32GB total. And exceeding the official maximum memory supported by this system and the CPU manufacturer, AMD, means that you are utilizing this system in an unsupported configuration and might limit the support the brand will give you later down the line in the event of needing support from the brand. The next step was shutting down the Synology NAS and installing the two 32GB Kingston modules to see if DSM 7.2 will still allow us to use these greater than officially supported memory modules.

After giving the system a few minutes to spin the disks down completely, I removed the disks and swapped the Crucial 16GB memory modules with the Kingston 32GB modules. After doing so, I rebooted the system as normal.

Much like in DSM 7.1, the system took an extra minute or so to recognize and confirm the new memory configuration at boot. Nonetheless, after a brief spin-up in which the drives were initialized, it continued as normal to boot into DSM, and upon a quick inspection of the control panel, I can confirm that DSM 7.2 still allowed me to use this third-party, greater than maximum supported memory configuration.

So, it looks like at least for now you can still continue to utilize third-party memory configurations in your Synology NAS running DSM 7.2. Once again, it is important to keep in mind that this configuration and these tests do not necessarily 100% confirm that a comparable update and testing on your own separate NAS and memory configuration are guaranteed to work. They certainly suggest so, but nonetheless, you should always make sure to have multiple backups in place of both your system and configuration, as well as take extra care when moving any drives to and from your system, and ensure that you handle any memory modules with your NAS safely. If you are interested in finding out which third-party memory modules are best suited for your own Synology NAS, use the third-party memory guide below which goes through every currently available Synology NAS and includes recommendations for alternative memory from brands such as Kingston, Samsung, Crucial, and Timetec.

Synology Unofficial Memory Upgrades – 2022/2023 UPDATED (Click Banner Below)

What Are the Dangers of Using 3rd Party Memory in a Synology NAS? Or Exceeding the Maximum Amount of RAM?

Using third-party memory in a Synology NAS has both potential benefits and risks. From the consumer perspective, third-party memory can often be less expensive and more readily available than the manufacturer’s own, which can be enticing. Additionally, for tech-savvy users, these memory modules might provide a performance boost or a higher capacity than what’s officially supported by Synology.

However, there are a number of important considerations to keep in mind:

  1. Compatibility: Not all third-party memory modules are compatible with Synology NAS systems. Even if a module fits and seems to work initially, it might cause unexpected issues or fail prematurely due to subtle differences in specifications.
  2. Performance: While some users find that third-party memory performs just as well as Synology’s own, there’s a risk that it might not. Reduced performance could mean slower data access times, which might be a significant drawback for some users.
  3. Warranty and Support: Synology, like most manufacturers, cannot guarantee that third-party components will work flawlessly with their products. Therefore, if you experience problems while using third-party memory, Synology may not be able to provide support, and it could potentially void your warranty.
  4. System Stability: Using incompatible or unofficially supported memory modules could lead to system instability. This can manifest as frequent crashes, data corruption, and even loss of data, which would be devastating for most NAS users.

On the subject of exceeding the maximum recommended memory in your NAS: while it can be tempting to go beyond the stated limit to achieve increased performance or capacity, this comes with its own set of risks. Overloading your system’s memory capacity can cause hardware strain, lead to system instability, and may potentially shorten the lifespan of your NAS. Furthermore, using more memory than your system’s CPU can handle might not result in any additional performance gains, as the CPU might not be able to effectively utilize the excess memory. While there can be benefits to using third-party memory modules, the potential risks are considerable. It’s essential to research thoroughly and make sure that any third-party memory you’re considering is fully compatible with your specific Synology NAS model. Always back up your data before making hardware changes, and consider the implications for your warranty and support services.

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      55 thoughts on “Does Synology DSM 7.2 Stop 3rd Party Memory Upgrades?”

      1. I’m sure Synology knows that they cannot prevent people from using different memory brand. They just want to scare people. They would probably get sued if their system would not work with other memory. It’s a memory slot, meant to be upgraded. Otherwise just solder the memory.
        And if issues would happen with Synology, people would by something else.
        How does Synology justify the memory and disk price difference ?
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      4. I have read on Amazon that a reviewer left – 8GB RAM (part number: CT8G4SFRA266 2666MHz CL19 ) to extend the RAM of my Synology DS220+ NAS. Although Synology says the system supports up to 6 GB of RAM (2GB is included in the original box), the system actually supports more than that. You can add at least another 16GB of RAM to use as a cache to boost up the performance.
        I have read the previous comments – some claimed that CT8G4SFRA266 does not fit with Synology. This is not true. Mine works very well on DS220+.

        There are two possibilities why some people found it was not working:

        1. They didn’t correctly insert the RAM. You will need to first push the RAM very hard until hearing a clicking before lowering the RAM to sit on the RAM slot. There are many posts online where people claim the RAM doesn’t work just because they didn’t currently insert the RAM.

        2. There are different variants of the Crucial memory “FRA266”. Upon receiving the RAM, you will find that the RAM has another four digitals part number printed on the tag. Mine is shown in the photo, which is C8FR. This means the RAM is built using 8x 1GB memory cells, where both sides of the RAM have memory cells. This will work on Synology. This part number can also be C8FJ, which will also work too. However, if this part number is C4FE, it means the RAM is built using 4x 2GB memory cells, where the memory cells are sodered on just one side of the RAM. In this case, it won’t be compatible with Synology. Unfortunately, you will not get to see this part number until you receive the RAM. I suspect this applies to the 16GB RAM, too, as there are some people online saying it works for Synology while others saying it doesn’t.

        Overall, I am pleased with this purchase.
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      5. The DS920+ has iGPU and although discontinued, for a price you can find one. Hardware Transcodes Plex with no issues. I love mine and works great with 20GB Total RAM using Samsung 16GB M471A2K43DB1-CWE. No compatibility warnings, passed 5+ hour full memory test from Synology Assistant. Running several VMs and Docker containers using way over the official 8GB max RAM recommendation with no issues.

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      6. So there are comments from people who have used CT16G4SFD8266 on their systems and they won’t boot with dsm 7.2 update 1, can anyone else, ideally the author of the video, confirm or deny there are any problems with these or other third-party modules with this DMS ver?
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      9. Hi I bought the 923+ and it have Synology RAM D4ES02-4G – 4GB DDR4 3200 ECC . Do you have info about compatible 16GB RAM ECC ( I insert Kingston KTL-TN432E/16G and is a warning message regarding RAM )
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      17. As an electronics engineer for many years I am appalled whenever I see Robbie handling memory modules without any electrostatic protection – a recipe for disaster!!
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      18. The prices of Synology branded memory and drives are absolutely insane. I would understand if the price was like 5%-10% more than other brands but that is not the case. Also the specifications of many Synology NAS models are lacking compred to Asustor or QNAP, especially Synology continuing to use 1GbE on so many of their models when 2.5GbE should be the absolute minimum.

        As a first time NAS buyer this practice by Synology has me considering other brands which is a shame because the DSM software seems really nice.
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      19. Crucial works fine in all 7 of my synology devices on 7.2. Both desktop and rack systems. However, I respect the limits pointed out by Synology as well and don’t exceed what they state.
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      22. Is the warning about “non-Synology Recommended memory module configuration” cause by the 3rd-party memory modules or because you are running 2x 32GB modules and exceeding the 32GB max of the Synology specs? Did it appear with the Crucial 2x16GB? I have an RS2423+ and both Synology and AMD spec for the V1780B max RAM is 32GB, so I don’t think I can even exceed that. But obviously, I will be going with 2x16GB 3rd party ECC DIMM, so I was wondering if I will see that warning too or not.
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      23. 20 years ago I sold 3rd party computer memory. We had the same issues with Apple, Cisco and many other brands. Never once did my customers ever have a problem. Memory modules are built to a standard, once met, it just works. :):)
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      24. If you’ve purchased Synology RAM, then I’ve got some great additional components for you… I sell small self-adhesive ECC enhancement Crystals, just apply it to the outside of the NAS. Each Crystal enhances the checksum and healing capabilities of your RAM by 16%.. Protect your data with this small investment.

        2 Crystals per-pack, the MSRP is $699, for today only they’re available for the low introductory price of just $299, and if you buy 2 packs, we’ll chuck in a 3rd pack for free…

        In seriousness though, Synology are smoking some strong shit at the moment, their 800GB NVMe is still listed at over £300, their 18TB HDDs going for £650… and given the fact they’re branded and marked up by 3-4x the market value, this is price gouging.
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      28. I upgraded my DS2419+ to 7.2, and it’s upgraded unofficial 32gb is working just fine. Occasionally I get a notification if I reboot that it detected unofficial ram, but I ignore it ????
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      30. Just because they work now doesn’t mean they always will. Synology is the Apple of NAS vendors. They’re all about vendor lock-in.
        I say this as the owner of a DS918+. But I don’t think I’ll ever buy another Synology device. I’d like to get another NAS and move everything over to it, then reinitialize this one to use for backups, but we’ll see.
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      32. If Synology blocks using third party memory or discs, I will not buy a Synology NAS when it comes time to upgrade. I already stopped buying Samsung products because of their OLED screen policy.
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      37. 1821+ owner here, I also upgraded to DSM 7.2 while using 32GB Crucial DDR4 no issues to date. Many thanks for all your knowledge and continued testing Robbie appreciated 🙂
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      39. Купил по Вашему видео память Crucial CT16G4SFRA32A, всё работает отлично, спасибо
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      45. If I bought the 923 and added a 16gb non ECC stick, would I likely have 20gb useable memory, albeit without any ECC functionality? Ultimately I’ll likely also replace the original 4gb with a second 16gb stick, but initially ideally I’d just like to throw in the single extra 16gb
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      48. How important is the ECC memory? What would your suggestion be between (2) 16gb non-ecc modules from Kingston or Crucial (~$52 each) or (1) 16gb ecc module from Arch Memory ($155.00).
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      49. You mention the MB vs GB when you talk about how much memory is shown in the Ubuntu vs what you assigned in the Synology GUI.
        I think the more correct way of describing it is the binary vs decimal way of counting the bytes. Meaning 1024 vs 1000 .

        Or just not to focus too much on it since the normal user doesn’t care …
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      50. I tried once on DS916+, recommended memory module and i had ad hoc restarts. For private, yeahh no problem, for business na, mission impossible.
        Second problem, i lost technical support immediatelly i asked for something and Synology support realized i have non-supported memory, they did not give support.
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