iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
NVMe cache can make a media NAS feel more responsive without making its movies stream faster. The likely difference is the kind of work being sped up: repeated random access to small files or metadata may benefit, while large, sequential video reads often do not. That is a plausible explanation for a snappier library interface, not proof that a particular media server or NAS configuration improved.
What NVMe cache can—and cannot—speed up
An SSD cache temporarily serves eligible data from SSD storage instead of retrieving it from the NAS’s hard drives. Its strongest fit is repeated access to data stored in scattered locations: random I/O, small files, and frequently reread data. If the needed data is already in the cache, the NAS may retrieve it with lower latency.
Large video files are different. Playing a movie usually involves reading a large amount of data sequentially. Synology says its SSD cache accelerates random I/O by default, not sequential I/O, and identifies HD video streaming as a workload with limited cache benefit. So caching is not a general-purpose way to make movie playback, large-file transfers, or every NAS operation faster.
Synology reports more than 15 times higher random read/write IOPS and up to 93% lower average latency in its in-house tests of an all-hard-drive array with SSD cache. Those are vendor test results, not a guaranteed outcome for another NAS, workload, or setup.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Why browsing may improve when playback does not
A media server does more than read the movie itself. Library browsing and management can involve repeated small reads and metadata access, while playback can involve long sequential reads from the media files. If a user notices a faster-feeling interface but no change in streaming, those differences offer a plausible explanation: the two activities put different demands on storage.
On DSM 7.4, Synology supports pinning Btrfs volume metadata to a read-write cache. That feature makes metadata a relevant part of the cache discussion, but it does not establish that a particular media server’s posters, thumbnails, database, or library browsing will be cached or run faster. Actual results depend on the NAS, software, storage layout, access pattern, and cache configuration.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Keep the outcomes separate when judging an upgrade: library browsing, indexing, or other small-I/O tasks are not the same measurement as playback quality, video start time, or a large-file copy. A subjective impression of responsiveness can be real without demonstrating faster video reads.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Cache and an SSD volume are different approaches
A cache transparently accelerates eligible I/O for a volume. An SSD volume instead places selected applications or files directly on SSD storage. These approaches can affect different data and produce different results; an SSD volume is not simply another name for cache.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
A 2026 review of the Synology DS725+ illustrates why the distinction matters: in that reviewer’s test setup, an SSD volume improved file-copy results compared with the disk volume, while read-write cache did not improve simple transfers and appeared to add slight overhead. That is one model and test setup, not a general benchmark or prediction for other NAS systems.
Which workloads are better cache candidates?
Synology and QNAP both describe caching as a way to reduce latency for frequently accessed data, but their guidance and platform features differ. Synology identifies concurrent file-server use with small-file access, iSCSI or Fibre Channel, virtual machines, databases, snapshots, web servers, backup tasks, and mail services as possible fits. QNAP highlights IOPS-intensive database, email, virtual-machine, and virtual-desktop workloads. These are vendor-specific examples, not guarantees that every cache will help every workload.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Synology cautions that cache may be a poor fit when the frequently accessed dataset is larger than the cache or when there is no off-peak time for cache flushing. QNAP treats video editing separately: its guidance recommends SSD pools for editing original or RAW files and suggests read-write cache for post-production under specified settings. Editing media from fast SSD storage and streaming finished video from a hard-drive array are different situations.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Choose among cache, SSD storage, and no upgrade
| Option | What it targets | When it may make sense |
|---|---|---|
| SSD cache | Eligible, frequently accessed data on a volume; strongest fit is repeated random I/O. | Consider it when the workload repeatedly revisits a dataset that fits the cache and the NAS supports the needed cache mode. |
| SSD volume | Applications or files deliberately stored on SSD. | Consider it when you can place the workload or data directly on SSD and want its storage to be SSD-backed. |
| No storage change | Leaves the existing storage path unchanged. | Often reasonable when the main workload is large sequential video streaming and there is no separate random-I/O bottleneck to address. |
This is a workload decision, not a simple “cache on or off” choice. Before buying a NAS-compatible M.2 NVMe SSD, check the exact NAS model’s supported cache options, drive compatibility, memory constraints, cache mode, and capacity against the frequently accessed dataset.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Check compatibility and cache requirements first
Support varies by NAS model and platform. Synology DSM 7.4 documents read-only and read-write cache support, plus Btrfs metadata pinning to read-write cache. Its stated memory requirement is approximately 400 KiB of system memory per 1 GiB of SSD cache, with cache limited to no more than 25% of pre-installed system memory. Treat these as DSM 7.4 requirements, not rules for other vendors or software versions.
Synology advises using SSDs on its compatibility list and warns that unsupported drives may affect system stability or cause data loss. Its SNV3000 series is described as M.2 NVMe SSDs developed for NAS cache applications; that does not mean every NAS accepts every drive in the series. Check the compatibility information for the exact model before purchase.
QNAP’s cache modes and hardware requirements are different. Its documentation describes M.2 SSDs installed through QM2 PCIe cards on compatible NAS models, while some models have dedicated cache trays. Do not transfer Synology’s memory limits, drive guidance, or configuration steps to QNAP—or assume one vendor’s installation method applies to another.
How to tell whether the upgrade helped
Decide in advance which task you expect to improve, then compare that task under similar conditions before and after enabling cache. Keep the outcomes distinct rather than using “the NAS feels faster” as a single measure.
- For library use: compare the specific browsing, indexing, or metadata-heavy action that felt slow.
- For playback: evaluate video start and playback separately from library navigation; a cache is not expected to accelerate large sequential streams reliably.
- For transfers: test the same large-file copy separately. Simple sequential transfers may show little benefit from a random-I/O cache.
- For cache fit: consider whether the active, repeatedly accessed data can fit in the cache and whether the workload rereads it often enough to benefit.
If playback or large-file copying is the actual bottleneck, an NVMe cache may target the wrong part of the workload. If repeated small or random access is the problem, cache may be more relevant—but compatibility and configuration still determine whether it is viable.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
