Synology DiskStation DS923+ upgrade guide

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM upgrade

The DS923+ has two SO-DIMM slots taking DDR4 ECC unbuffered memory, 260-pin. The drive ships with a single 4 GB module in Slot 1; nothing is soldered, so both slots are available to you. Synology's own configuration table runs up to 16 GB per module, giving a validated maximum of 32 GB (2 x 16 GB).

Synology is strict about memory. All modules must be identical and share the same model number, and only its own D4ES02-4G, D4ES02-8G and D4ES01-16G parts are validated. Synology says it will not provide complete product warranty or technical support if non-Synology memory is used for expansion. Third-party ECC SO-DIMMs are widely reported to work, but treat that as unsupported territory.

One speed note: Synology's spec sheet doesn't quote a memory clock. The processor's memory controller runs DDR4-2400, so faster SO-DIMMs will simply run at the slower speed. Don't pay extra for high-speed modules.

Buying tips

• Buy a matched pair from the same listing so the model numbers match
• DDR4 ECC unbuffered SO-DIMM only - plain desktop DDR4 or registered ECC won't work
• 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) is the supported ceiling; larger modules are untested
• Faster than DDR4-2400 brings no benefit

Storage upgrade

There are six storage spots in total. Four hot-swap SATA bays take 3.5-inch hard drives or 2.5-inch SATA SSDs - Synology publishes no thickness limit for 2.5-inch drives, so check the compatibility list if you have a unusually thick SSD. In addition there are two M.2 2280 slots wired for NVMe/PCIe only. SATA M.2 SSDs will not fit, and these slots are not hot-swappable. M.2 drives are used for read/write cache or for all-flash storage pools.

Officially, creating M.2 storage pools requires Synology-verified NVMe SSDs (the SNV3400 and SNV3410 series). Cache use is less restrictive. For hard drives and SATA SSDs, Synology only guarantees full functionality, reliability and performance for drives on its compatibility list - third-party drives generally work but may show warnings and aren't validated.

Capacity limits to keep in mind: a single internal volume tops out at 108 TB, and you can add one DX517 expansion box over the eSATA port for five more bays, giving up to nine drives in total. There is no second expansion port.

Buying tips

• M.2 slots need NVMe (PCIe) 2280 drives - SATA M.2 SSDs are the wrong bus
• If you want an M.2 storage pool rather than cache, stick to Synology-verified NVMe SSDs
• Check Synology's compatibility list for the exact drive model before ordering
• Plan volumes so no single volume exceeds 108 TB

How to upgrade

Before you start

• Back up anything irreplaceable first, especially before touching storage
• Power the DS923+ down fully and unplug the power cable
• Ground yourself to avoid static damage
• Open the case following the owner's manual - every NAS differs
• Install the part, close the case, reconnect and power on
• Check that the firmware reports the new RAM or drives before trusting them

Steps

1. Back up
   Make sure anything important is backed up before opening the case or touching drives.
2. Power down
   Shut the NAS down properly from the operating system, then unplug the power cable.
3. Ground yourself
   Discharge static by touching a grounded metal object before handling memory modules or circuit boards.
4. Open and install
   Open the case following Synology's hardware installation guide for exact disassembly, then seat the module or drive firmly. Drives slide into the hot-swap bays; M.2 drives and memory need the case open.
5. Close and power on
   Close the case, reconnect power and start the NAS.
6. Verify
   Confirm in the firmware that the new memory size and drives appear and are healthy before building volumes or storage pools.

Good to know

• Synology's documents don't state a memory clock speed; DDR4-2400 is the controller's limit and faster modules downclock.
• No source specifies a thickness limit for 2.5-inch drives in the trays - Synology defers to its compatibility list.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Synology DS923+ take?

Up to 32 GB, using two identical 16 GB DDR4 ECC SO-DIMMs, one in each slot. 32 GB is Synology's validated ceiling; larger configurations are not supported or tested.

Does the DS923+ need ECC memory?

Yes. The slots take DDR4 ECC unbuffered SO-DIMMs (260-pin), and the parts Synology validates are all ECC. Regular DDR4 memory is not the right type.

Can I use non-Synology RAM in the DS923+?

You can, but at a cost. Synology says it will not provide complete product warranty or technical support if non-Synology memory is used for expansion, and modules must be identical with the same model number.

Does the DS923+ support M.2 SATA SSDs?

No. The two M.2 2280 slots are wired for NVMe/PCIe only. SATA M.2 SSDs won't work, and the slots are not hot-swappable.

Can I upgrade the CPU in the DS923+?

No. The AMD Ryzen R1600 is soldered to the board rather than socketed, and Synology offers no CPU replacement procedure or supported alternative processors.

Does the DS923+ do hardware video transcoding?

No. The Ryzen R1600 has no integrated GPU, so there's no hardware transcoding for Plex or Jellyfin - a step backwards from the DS920+ for media server use.

Official documents and references

• PDF Synology DS923+ Product Specification (PDF)
  Official slot, memory and storage specifications, plus the validated memory parts and configuration table.
• PDF Synology DS923+ Hardware Installation Guide (PDF)
  The official disassembly and installation reference.
• Synology DS923+ Hardware Overview
  Slot layout and processor details.
• Synology DS923+ Memory Installation Guide
  Best-practice memory configurations and slot use.
• PDF Synology DS923+ Data Sheet (PDF)
  Drive compatibility policy, expansion limits and processor specs.