E10G30-F2
A dual port 10GbE SFP+ card for compatible Synology systems using fibre or direct attach cabling.
Two SFP+ ports suit networks already designed around that connector. Check Synology’s compatibility list for your exact model.
NAS Network and SSD Upgrades
This collection covers practical network and solid state storage upgrades for a network-attached storage (NAS) box at home or in a small office: 10GbE (10 gigabit Ethernet) cards and switches, a 2.5GbE adapter, and SSD (solid-state drive) options for cache or storage. We compared the makers’ specifications, connection types, intended workloads and compatibility requirements. The useful choice is not automatically the quickest component. It is the upgrade that removes a measured bottleneck without creating a compatibility problem elsewhere.
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QXG-10G2T-X710
A dual port RJ45 card for compatible QNAP systems that need copper 10GbE connectivity.
It provides two multigigabit copper ports and supports several native link speeds. Check QNAP’s compatibility page for your exact NAS model.
TP-Link TL-SG108 8-Port Switch
An eight port gigabit switch for expanding a wired network, not accelerating a NAS beyond 1GbE.
It is a straightforward way to connect more gigabit devices. Every port tops out at a native 1GbE link.
TP-Link TL-SX105 10GbE Switch
A five port multigigabit switch for linking suitably equipped NAS and computers over RJ45.
All five ports negotiate from slower Ethernet rates through a native 10GbE link. The NAS and computer need matching 10GbE capability to use that speed.
TP-Link TL-SG105-M2
Five 2.5G ports for a simple NAS, workstation and router upgrade.
The TL-SG105-M2 keeps the upgrade focused with five 2.5G ports and no management layer. It suits a small group of wired devices.
TP-Link TL-SG108-M2
Eight 2.5G ports provide more room for NAS units, computers and other wired devices.
The TL-SG108-M2 provides eight 2.5G ports in an unmanaged switch. There is nothing to configure: plug it in and connect the devices.
NETGEAR MS105
Five copper ports support 100M, 1G and 2.5G connections in an unmanaged switch.
The MS105 offers five multigigabit copper ports. Each port supports 100M, 1G and 2.5G connections.
QNAP QSW-1108-8T-R2
Eight 2.5GbE ports suit a larger group of multigigabit NAS and computer connections.
The QSW-1108-8T-R2 combines eight 2.5GbE ports with unmanaged operation. Its ports also support 1G and 100M links.
UGREEN USB-C to 2.5G Ethernet Adapter
A simple way to add a 2.5GbE RJ45 connection to a compatible USB-C computer.
It can upgrade the client side of a multigigabit path without an internal expansion card. Every other link still needs to support the intended speed.
Synology SNV3410
A Synology NVMe SSD intended for supported Synology cache deployments.
It is designed around sustained NAS cache workloads and Synology system integration. Check Synology’s compatibility list for the exact NAS and intended cache or pool role.
WD Red SN700
A NAS-oriented M.2 NVMe SSD offered in several capacities for sustained cache workloads.
Western Digital classifies the SN700 for NAS use and publishes capacity-specific endurance figures. Confirm it appears on the NAS maker’s compatibility list.
Samsung 990 Pro
A high performance consumer NVMe SSD that needs careful compatibility and workload checking for NAS use.
Samsung positions the 990 Pro for gaming and creative applications. Treat NAS cache or pool use as model specific and check the NAS maker’s current drive policy.
Choose the bottleneck before the product
Start by measuring a normal file transfer from your main computer to the NAS. A network upgrade helps only when the network is the constraint. The connection is as fast as its slowest link, so the NAS, computer, switch and cabling all need to support the target speed. The UGREEN adapter can give a suitable USB-C computer a 2.5GbE connection, meaning 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, but it cannot make a NAS with only a 1GbE port operate at 2.5GbE.
The TP-Link TL-SG108 is for adding wired ports. Its interfaces negotiate up to 1GbE, so putting it between faster equipment limits that path to 1GbE. The TL-SX105 is the relevant option when several copper Ethernet devices need faster links. Each of its ports supports a native 10GbE link, but the NAS and computer also need 10GbE ports or compatible cards. See the 10GbE networking setup and upgrade guide before choosing cards, cables and switches.
A 2.5GbE switch, meaning 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, is the right upgrade when both your NAS and computers have 2.5GbE ports but the 1GbE switch between them is the limit. An unmanaged switch simply connects the devices, while a managed switch is for networks needing configuration and traffic controls. These four unmanaged models suit straightforward home and small office upgrades. Match the port count to every wired device, with room for expansion. Remember that a 2.5GbE port running at its native speed is not 10GbE.
For add-in cards, connector type matters. The QNAP QXG-10G2T-X710 uses RJ45 copper connections. The Synology E10G30-F2 uses SFP+, a compact network connector normally paired with a compatible cable or transceiver. Do not choose between them by headline speed alone. Check the NAS maker’s compatibility list, the available expansion slot and the connector used by the rest of the network. The NAS networking guide provides a broader upgrade path.
Cache or storage pool
NVMe, a protocol for solid state storage connected over PCI Express, can serve two quite different jobs. An SSD cache keeps frequently used data on the faster SSDs, so the NAS can read it from there instead of the hard drives. It helps workloads with lots of small, random reads. A storage pool supplies capacity from which volumes are created. Cache is not extra general file capacity, while a storage pool is not merely a temporary acceleration layer.
Cache gains depend on workload. Synology says large sequential transfers, including video streaming, gain only limited benefit from its SSD cache. Read-write cache also needs care because new data can sit on the SSDs before being written back to the hard drives. Use the NAS maker’s supported layout, maintain backups and remove a cache through the management interface before taking out its drives. The SSD cache and all-flash NAS overview helps decide whether flash suits the workload.
Drive support is model and software dependent. Check whether your NAS permits M.2 drives for cache, storage pools or both. This is especially important on Synology Plus models from 2025, where unlisted M.2 NVMe drives can be restricted for new storage pools and cache. Check Synology’s current compatibility list before considering the SNV3410, WD Red SN700 or Samsung 990 Pro. The Samsung is presented by its maker as a consumer SSD for gaming and creative applications, not as a NAS-specific drive.
Common upgrade mistakes
- Buying a fast switch while leaving either the NAS or main computer on a slower port.
- Ordering a card before checking the exact NAS model, expansion slot and connector type.
- Adding SSD cache to large sequential transfers without first confirming that random access is the real constraint.
A practical next step
Record the link speed shown by the NAS and computer, run a representative transfer, then draw the complete path between them. Mark every port and connector on that path. Check the relevant maker compatibility list before comparing the market price on each card. Keep the invoice and note the installed model and serial number. The ACCC explains how a maker’s warranty works in addition to your consumer guarantees on its warranties page.
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