diff --git a/changelog.d/6391.feature b/changelog.d/6391.feature
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..f123426e23ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/6391.feature
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Synapse's cache factor can now be configured in `homeserver.yaml` by the `caches.global_factor` setting. Additionally, `caches.per_cache_factors` controls the cache factors for individual caches.
diff --git a/docs/sample_config.yaml b/docs/sample_config.yaml
index 98ead7dc0e6e..24db0941c4a5 100644
--- a/docs/sample_config.yaml
+++ b/docs/sample_config.yaml
@@ -603,6 +603,45 @@ acme:
 
 
 
+## Caching ##
+
+# Caching can be configured through the following options.
+#
+# A cache 'factor' is a multiplier that can be applied to each of
+# Synapse's caches in order to increase or decrease the maximum
+# number of entries that can be stored.
+
+# The number of events to cache in memory. Not affected by
+# caches.global_factor.
+#
+#event_cache_size: 10K
+
+caches:
+   # Controls the global cache factor, which is the default cache factor
+   # for all caches if a specific factor for that cache is not otherwise
+   # set.
+   #
+   # This can also be set by the "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR" environment
+   # variable. Setting by environment variable takes priority over
+   # setting through the config file.
+   #
+   # Defaults to 0.5, which will half the size of all caches.
+   #
+   #global_factor: 1.0
+
+   # A dictionary of cache name to cache factor for that individual
+   # cache. Overrides the global cache factor for a given cache.
+   #
+   # These can also be set through environment variables comprised
+   # of "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_" + the name of the cache in capital
+   # letters and underscores. Setting by environment variable
+   # takes priority over setting through the config file.
+   # Ex. SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_GET_USERS_WHO_SHARE_ROOM_WITH_USER=2.0
+   #
+   per_cache_factors:
+     #get_users_who_share_room_with_user: 2.0
+
+
 ## Database ##
 
 # The 'database' setting defines the database that synapse uses to store all of
@@ -646,10 +685,6 @@ database:
   args:
     database: DATADIR/homeserver.db
 
-# Number of events to cache in memory.
-#
-#event_cache_size: 10K
-
 
 ## Logging ##
 
diff --git a/synapse/api/auth.py b/synapse/api/auth.py
index 1ad5ff9410ab..e009b1a7609a 100644
--- a/synapse/api/auth.py
+++ b/synapse/api/auth.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 from synapse.api.room_versions import KNOWN_ROOM_VERSIONS
 from synapse.events import EventBase
 from synapse.types import StateMap, UserID
-from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR, register_cache
+from synapse.util.caches import register_cache
 from synapse.util.caches.lrucache import LruCache
 from synapse.util.metrics import Measure
 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ def __init__(self, hs):
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
         self.state = hs.get_state_handler()
 
-        self.token_cache = LruCache(CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR * 10000)
+        self.token_cache = LruCache(10000)
         register_cache("cache", "token_cache", self.token_cache)
 
         self._auth_blocking = AuthBlocking(self.hs)
diff --git a/synapse/app/homeserver.py b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
index cbd1ea475add..e70a886cbb31 100644
--- a/synapse/app/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
@@ -69,7 +69,6 @@
 from synapse.storage import DataStore
 from synapse.storage.engines import IncorrectDatabaseSetup
 from synapse.storage.prepare_database import UpgradeDatabaseException
-from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
 from synapse.util.httpresourcetree import create_resource_tree
 from synapse.util.manhole import manhole
 from synapse.util.module_loader import load_module
@@ -504,8 +503,8 @@ def phone_stats_home(hs, stats, stats_process=_stats_process):
 
     daily_sent_messages = yield hs.get_datastore().count_daily_sent_messages()
     stats["daily_sent_messages"] = daily_sent_messages
-    stats["cache_factor"] = CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
-    stats["event_cache_size"] = hs.config.event_cache_size
+    stats["cache_factor"] = hs.config.caches.global_factor
+    stats["event_cache_size"] = hs.config.caches.event_cache_size
 
     #
     # Performance statistics
diff --git a/synapse/config/cache.py b/synapse/config/cache.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..91036a012e2b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/config/cache.py
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2019 Matrix.org Foundation C.I.C.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+import os
+from typing import Callable, Dict
+
+from ._base import Config, ConfigError
+
+# The prefix for all cache factor-related environment variables
+_CACHES = {}
+_CACHE_PREFIX = "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR"
+_DEFAULT_FACTOR_SIZE = 0.5
+_DEFAULT_EVENT_CACHE_SIZE = "10K"
+
+
+class CacheProperties(object):
+    def __init__(self):
+        # The default factor size for all caches
+        self.default_factor_size = float(
+            os.environ.get(_CACHE_PREFIX, _DEFAULT_FACTOR_SIZE)
+        )
+        self.resize_all_caches_func = None
+
+
+properties = CacheProperties()
+
+
+def add_resizable_cache(cache_name: str, cache_resize_callback: Callable):
+    """Register a cache that's size can dynamically change
+
+    Args:
+        cache_name: A reference to the cache
+        cache_resize_callback: A callback function that will be ran whenever
+            the cache needs to be resized
+    """
+    _CACHES[cache_name.lower()] = cache_resize_callback
+
+    # Ensure all loaded caches are sized appropriately
+    #
+    # This method should only run once the config has been read,
+    # as it uses values read from it
+    if properties.resize_all_caches_func:
+        properties.resize_all_caches_func()
+
+
+class CacheConfig(Config):
+    section = "caches"
+    _environ = os.environ
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def reset():
+        """Resets the caches to their defaults. Used for tests."""
+        properties.default_factor_size = float(
+            os.environ.get(_CACHE_PREFIX, _DEFAULT_FACTOR_SIZE)
+        )
+        properties.resize_all_caches_func = None
+        _CACHES.clear()
+
+    def generate_config_section(self, **kwargs):
+        return """\
+        ## Caching ##
+
+        # Caching can be configured through the following options.
+        #
+        # A cache 'factor' is a multiplier that can be applied to each of
+        # Synapse's caches in order to increase or decrease the maximum
+        # number of entries that can be stored.
+
+        # The number of events to cache in memory. Not affected by
+        # caches.global_factor.
+        #
+        #event_cache_size: 10K
+
+        caches:
+           # Controls the global cache factor, which is the default cache factor
+           # for all caches if a specific factor for that cache is not otherwise
+           # set.
+           #
+           # This can also be set by the "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR" environment
+           # variable. Setting by environment variable takes priority over
+           # setting through the config file.
+           #
+           # Defaults to 0.5, which will half the size of all caches.
+           #
+           #global_factor: 1.0
+
+           # A dictionary of cache name to cache factor for that individual
+           # cache. Overrides the global cache factor for a given cache.
+           #
+           # These can also be set through environment variables comprised
+           # of "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_" + the name of the cache in capital
+           # letters and underscores. Setting by environment variable
+           # takes priority over setting through the config file.
+           # Ex. SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_GET_USERS_WHO_SHARE_ROOM_WITH_USER=2.0
+           #
+           per_cache_factors:
+             #get_users_who_share_room_with_user: 2.0
+        """
+
+    def read_config(self, config, **kwargs):
+        self.event_cache_size = self.parse_size(
+            config.get("event_cache_size", _DEFAULT_EVENT_CACHE_SIZE)
+        )
+        self.cache_factors = {}  # type: Dict[str, float]
+
+        cache_config = config.get("caches") or {}
+        self.global_factor = cache_config.get(
+            "global_factor", properties.default_factor_size
+        )
+        if not isinstance(self.global_factor, (int, float)):
+            raise ConfigError("caches.global_factor must be a number.")
+
+        # Set the global one so that it's reflected in new caches
+        properties.default_factor_size = self.global_factor
+
+        # Load cache factors from the config
+        individual_factors = cache_config.get("per_cache_factors") or {}
+        if not isinstance(individual_factors, dict):
+            raise ConfigError("caches.per_cache_factors must be a dictionary")
+
+        # Override factors from environment if necessary
+        individual_factors.update(
+            {
+                key[len(_CACHE_PREFIX) + 1 :].lower(): float(val)
+                for key, val in self._environ.items()
+                if key.startswith(_CACHE_PREFIX + "_")
+            }
+        )
+
+        for cache, factor in individual_factors.items():
+            if not isinstance(factor, (int, float)):
+                raise ConfigError(
+                    "caches.per_cache_factors.%s must be a number" % (cache.lower(),)
+                )
+            self.cache_factors[cache.lower()] = factor
+
+        # Resize all caches (if necessary) with the new factors we've loaded
+        self.resize_all_caches()
+
+        # Store this function so that it can be called from other classes without
+        # needing an instance of Config
+        properties.resize_all_caches_func = self.resize_all_caches
+
+    def resize_all_caches(self):
+        """Ensure all cache sizes are up to date
+
+        For each cache, run the mapped callback function with either
+        a specific cache factor or the default, global one.
+        """
+        for cache_name, callback in _CACHES.items():
+            new_factor = self.cache_factors.get(cache_name, self.global_factor)
+            callback(new_factor)
diff --git a/synapse/config/database.py b/synapse/config/database.py
index 5b662d1b0138..1064c2697b30 100644
--- a/synapse/config/database.py
+++ b/synapse/config/database.py
@@ -68,10 +68,6 @@
   name: sqlite3
   args:
     database: %(database_path)s
-
-# Number of events to cache in memory.
-#
-#event_cache_size: 10K
 """
 
 
@@ -116,8 +112,6 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         self.databases = []
 
     def read_config(self, config, **kwargs):
-        self.event_cache_size = self.parse_size(config.get("event_cache_size", "10K"))
-
         # We *experimentally* support specifying multiple databases via the
         # `databases` key. This is a map from a label to database config in the
         # same format as the `database` config option, plus an extra
diff --git a/synapse/config/homeserver.py b/synapse/config/homeserver.py
index be6c6afa7469..ebd1644f09de 100644
--- a/synapse/config/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/config/homeserver.py
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 from ._base import RootConfig
 from .api import ApiConfig
 from .appservice import AppServiceConfig
+from .cache import CacheConfig
 from .captcha import CaptchaConfig
 from .cas import CasConfig
 from .consent_config import ConsentConfig
@@ -54,6 +55,7 @@ class HomeServerConfig(RootConfig):
     config_classes = [
         ServerConfig,
         TlsConfig,
+        CacheConfig,
         DatabaseConfig,
         LoggingConfig,
         RatelimitConfig,
diff --git a/synapse/http/client.py b/synapse/http/client.py
index 37975458246a..ecab96d854b8 100644
--- a/synapse/http/client.py
+++ b/synapse/http/client.py
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@
 from synapse.logging.context import make_deferred_yieldable
 from synapse.logging.opentracing import set_tag, start_active_span, tags
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import timeout_deferred
-from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -241,7 +240,10 @@ def __getattr__(_self, attr):
         # tends to do so in batches, so we need to allow the pool to keep
         # lots of idle connections around.
         pool = HTTPConnectionPool(self.reactor)
-        pool.maxPersistentPerHost = max((100 * CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR, 5))
+        # XXX: The justification for using the cache factor here is that larger instances
+        # will need both more cache and more connections.
+        # Still, this should probably be a separate dial
+        pool.maxPersistentPerHost = max((100 * hs.config.caches.global_factor, 5))
         pool.cachedConnectionTimeout = 2 * 60
 
         self.agent = ProxyAgent(
diff --git a/synapse/metrics/_exposition.py b/synapse/metrics/_exposition.py
index a248103191ad..ab7f948ed453 100644
--- a/synapse/metrics/_exposition.py
+++ b/synapse/metrics/_exposition.py
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@
 
 from twisted.web.resource import Resource
 
+from synapse.util import caches
+
 try:
     from prometheus_client.samples import Sample
 except ImportError:
@@ -103,13 +105,15 @@ def nameify_sample(sample):
 
 
 def generate_latest(registry, emit_help=False):
-    output = []
 
-    for metric in registry.collect():
+    # Trigger the cache metrics to be rescraped, which updates the common
+    # metrics but do not produce metrics themselves
+    for collector in caches.collectors_by_name.values():
+        collector.collect()
 
-        if metric.name.startswith("__unused"):
-            continue
+    output = []
 
+    for metric in registry.collect():
         if not metric.samples:
             # No samples, don't bother.
             continue
diff --git a/synapse/push/bulk_push_rule_evaluator.py b/synapse/push/bulk_push_rule_evaluator.py
index 433ca2f416fa..e75d964ac849 100644
--- a/synapse/push/bulk_push_rule_evaluator.py
+++ b/synapse/push/bulk_push_rule_evaluator.py
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
     "cache",
     "push_rules_delta_state_cache_metric",
     cache=[],  # Meaningless size, as this isn't a cache that stores values
+    resizable=False,
 )
 
 
@@ -67,7 +68,8 @@ def __init__(self, hs):
         self.room_push_rule_cache_metrics = register_cache(
             "cache",
             "room_push_rule_cache",
-            cache=[],  # Meaningless size, as this isn't a cache that stores values
+            cache=[],  # Meaningless size, as this isn't a cache that stores values,
+            resizable=False,
         )
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
diff --git a/synapse/push/push_rule_evaluator.py b/synapse/push/push_rule_evaluator.py
index 4cd702b5facb..11032491afad 100644
--- a/synapse/push/push_rule_evaluator.py
+++ b/synapse/push/push_rule_evaluator.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 from synapse.events import EventBase
 from synapse.types import UserID
-from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR, register_cache
+from synapse.util.caches import register_cache
 from synapse.util.caches.lrucache import LruCache
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ def _get_value(self, dotted_key: str) -> str:
 
 
 # Caches (string, is_glob, word_boundary) -> regex for push. See _glob_matches
-regex_cache = LruCache(50000 * CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR)
+regex_cache = LruCache(50000)
 register_cache("cache", "regex_push_cache", regex_cache)
 
 
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/client_ips.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/client_ips.py
index fbf996e33a10..1a38f53dfb8b 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/client_ips.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/client_ips.py
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.client_ips import LAST_SEEN_GRANULARITY
 from synapse.storage.database import Database
-from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import Cache
 
 from ._base import BaseSlavedStore
@@ -26,7 +25,7 @@ def __init__(self, database: Database, db_conn, hs):
         super(SlavedClientIpStore, self).__init__(database, db_conn, hs)
 
         self.client_ip_last_seen = Cache(
-            name="client_ip_last_seen", keylen=4, max_entries=50000 * CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
+            name="client_ip_last_seen", keylen=4, max_entries=50000
         )
 
     def insert_client_ip(self, user_id, access_token, ip, user_agent, device_id):
diff --git a/synapse/state/__init__.py b/synapse/state/__init__.py
index 4afefc6b1d2e..2fa529fcd087 100644
--- a/synapse/state/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/state/__init__.py
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
 from synapse.storage.data_stores.main.events_worker import EventRedactBehaviour
 from synapse.types import StateMap
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import Linearizer
-from synapse.util.caches import get_cache_factor_for
 from synapse.util.caches.expiringcache import ExpiringCache
 from synapse.util.metrics import Measure, measure_func
 
@@ -53,7 +52,6 @@
 KeyStateTuple = namedtuple("KeyStateTuple", ("context", "type", "state_key"))
 
 
-SIZE_OF_CACHE = 100000 * get_cache_factor_for("state_cache")
 EVICTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 60 * 60
 
 
@@ -447,7 +445,7 @@ def __init__(self, hs):
         self._state_cache = ExpiringCache(
             cache_name="state_cache",
             clock=self.clock,
-            max_len=SIZE_OF_CACHE,
+            max_len=100000,
             expiry_ms=EVICTION_TIMEOUT_SECONDS * 1000,
             iterable=True,
             reset_expiry_on_get=True,
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py
index 92bc06919b13..71f8d43a7644 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/client_ips.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import wrap_as_background_process
 from synapse.storage._base import SQLBaseStore
 from synapse.storage.database import Database, make_tuple_comparison_clause
-from synapse.util.caches import CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import Cache
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -361,7 +360,7 @@ class ClientIpStore(ClientIpBackgroundUpdateStore):
     def __init__(self, database: Database, db_conn, hs):
 
         self.client_ip_last_seen = Cache(
-            name="client_ip_last_seen", keylen=4, max_entries=50000 * CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
+            name="client_ip_last_seen", keylen=4, max_entries=50000
         )
 
         super(ClientIpStore, self).__init__(database, db_conn, hs)
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
index 73df6b33ba95..b8c1bbdf9996 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/main/events_worker.py
@@ -75,7 +75,10 @@ def __init__(self, database: Database, db_conn, hs):
         super(EventsWorkerStore, self).__init__(database, db_conn, hs)
 
         self._get_event_cache = Cache(
-            "*getEvent*", keylen=3, max_entries=hs.config.event_cache_size
+            "*getEvent*",
+            keylen=3,
+            max_entries=hs.config.caches.event_cache_size,
+            apply_cache_factor_from_config=False,
         )
 
         self._event_fetch_lock = threading.Condition()
diff --git a/synapse/storage/data_stores/state/store.py b/synapse/storage/data_stores/state/store.py
index 57a526766346..f3ad1e4369a6 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/data_stores/state/store.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/data_stores/state/store.py
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 from synapse.storage.database import Database
 from synapse.storage.state import StateFilter
 from synapse.types import StateMap
-from synapse.util.caches import get_cache_factor_for
 from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import cached
 from synapse.util.caches.dictionary_cache import DictionaryCache
 
@@ -90,11 +89,10 @@ def __init__(self, database: Database, db_conn, hs):
         self._state_group_cache = DictionaryCache(
             "*stateGroupCache*",
             # TODO: this hasn't been tuned yet
-            50000 * get_cache_factor_for("stateGroupCache"),
+            50000,
         )
         self._state_group_members_cache = DictionaryCache(
-            "*stateGroupMembersCache*",
-            500000 * get_cache_factor_for("stateGroupMembersCache"),
+            "*stateGroupMembersCache*", 500000,
         )
 
     @cached(max_entries=10000, iterable=True)
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/__init__.py b/synapse/util/caches/__init__.py
index da5077b47105..4b8a0c7a8fac 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # Copyright 2015, 2016 OpenMarket Ltd
-# Copyright 2019 The Matrix.org Foundation C.I.C.
+# Copyright 2019, 2020 The Matrix.org Foundation C.I.C.
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -15,27 +15,17 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
-import os
-from typing import Dict
+from typing import Callable, Dict, Optional
 
 import six
 from six.moves import intern
 
-from prometheus_client.core import REGISTRY, Gauge, GaugeMetricFamily
-
-logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-
-CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR = float(os.environ.get("SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR", 0.5))
+import attr
+from prometheus_client.core import Gauge
 
+from synapse.config.cache import add_resizable_cache
 
-def get_cache_factor_for(cache_name):
-    env_var = "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_" + cache_name.upper()
-    factor = os.environ.get(env_var)
-    if factor:
-        return float(factor)
-
-    return CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR
-
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 caches_by_name = {}
 collectors_by_name = {}  # type: Dict
@@ -44,6 +34,7 @@ def get_cache_factor_for(cache_name):
 cache_hits = Gauge("synapse_util_caches_cache:hits", "", ["name"])
 cache_evicted = Gauge("synapse_util_caches_cache:evicted_size", "", ["name"])
 cache_total = Gauge("synapse_util_caches_cache:total", "", ["name"])
+cache_max_size = Gauge("synapse_util_caches_cache_max_size", "", ["name"])
 
 response_cache_size = Gauge("synapse_util_caches_response_cache:size", "", ["name"])
 response_cache_hits = Gauge("synapse_util_caches_response_cache:hits", "", ["name"])
@@ -53,67 +44,82 @@ def get_cache_factor_for(cache_name):
 response_cache_total = Gauge("synapse_util_caches_response_cache:total", "", ["name"])
 
 
-def register_cache(cache_type, cache_name, cache, collect_callback=None):
-    """Register a cache object for metric collection.
+@attr.s
+class CacheMetric(object):
+
+    _cache = attr.ib()
+    _cache_type = attr.ib(type=str)
+    _cache_name = attr.ib(type=str)
+    _collect_callback = attr.ib(type=Optional[Callable])
+
+    hits = attr.ib(default=0)
+    misses = attr.ib(default=0)
+    evicted_size = attr.ib(default=0)
+
+    def inc_hits(self):
+        self.hits += 1
+
+    def inc_misses(self):
+        self.misses += 1
+
+    def inc_evictions(self, size=1):
+        self.evicted_size += size
+
+    def describe(self):
+        return []
+
+    def collect(self):
+        try:
+            if self._cache_type == "response_cache":
+                response_cache_size.labels(self._cache_name).set(len(self._cache))
+                response_cache_hits.labels(self._cache_name).set(self.hits)
+                response_cache_evicted.labels(self._cache_name).set(self.evicted_size)
+                response_cache_total.labels(self._cache_name).set(
+                    self.hits + self.misses
+                )
+            else:
+                cache_size.labels(self._cache_name).set(len(self._cache))
+                cache_hits.labels(self._cache_name).set(self.hits)
+                cache_evicted.labels(self._cache_name).set(self.evicted_size)
+                cache_total.labels(self._cache_name).set(self.hits + self.misses)
+                if getattr(self._cache, "max_size", None):
+                    cache_max_size.labels(self._cache_name).set(self._cache.max_size)
+            if self._collect_callback:
+                self._collect_callback()
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning("Error calculating metrics for %s: %s", self._cache_name, e)
+            raise
+
+
+def register_cache(
+    cache_type: str,
+    cache_name: str,
+    cache,
+    collect_callback: Optional[Callable] = None,
+    resizable: bool = True,
+    resize_callback: Optional[Callable] = None,
+) -> CacheMetric:
+    """Register a cache object for metric collection and resizing.
 
     Args:
-        cache_type (str):
-        cache_name (str): name of the cache
-        cache (object): cache itself
-        collect_callback (callable|None): if not None, a function which is called during
-            metric collection to update additional metrics.
+        cache_type
+        cache_name: name of the cache
+        cache: cache itself
+        collect_callback: If given, a function which is called during metric
+            collection to update additional metrics.
+        resizable: Whether this cache supports being resized.
+        resize_callback: A function which can be called to resize the cache.
 
     Returns:
         CacheMetric: an object which provides inc_{hits,misses,evictions} methods
     """
+    if resizable:
+        if not resize_callback:
+            resize_callback = getattr(cache, "set_cache_factor")
+        add_resizable_cache(cache_name, resize_callback)
 
-    # Check if the metric is already registered. Unregister it, if so.
-    # This usually happens during tests, as at runtime these caches are
-    # effectively singletons.
+    metric = CacheMetric(cache, cache_type, cache_name, collect_callback)
     metric_name = "cache_%s_%s" % (cache_type, cache_name)
-    if metric_name in collectors_by_name.keys():
-        REGISTRY.unregister(collectors_by_name[metric_name])
-
-    class CacheMetric(object):
-
-        hits = 0
-        misses = 0
-        evicted_size = 0
-
-        def inc_hits(self):
-            self.hits += 1
-
-        def inc_misses(self):
-            self.misses += 1
-
-        def inc_evictions(self, size=1):
-            self.evicted_size += size
-
-        def describe(self):
-            return []
-
-        def collect(self):
-            try:
-                if cache_type == "response_cache":
-                    response_cache_size.labels(cache_name).set(len(cache))
-                    response_cache_hits.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits)
-                    response_cache_evicted.labels(cache_name).set(self.evicted_size)
-                    response_cache_total.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits + self.misses)
-                else:
-                    cache_size.labels(cache_name).set(len(cache))
-                    cache_hits.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits)
-                    cache_evicted.labels(cache_name).set(self.evicted_size)
-                    cache_total.labels(cache_name).set(self.hits + self.misses)
-                if collect_callback:
-                    collect_callback()
-            except Exception as e:
-                logger.warning("Error calculating metrics for %s: %s", cache_name, e)
-                raise
-
-            yield GaugeMetricFamily("__unused", "")
-
-    metric = CacheMetric()
-    REGISTRY.register(metric)
     caches_by_name[cache_name] = cache
     collectors_by_name[metric_name] = metric
     return metric
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/descriptors.py b/synapse/util/caches/descriptors.py
index 2e8f6543e5ae..cd4826242035 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/descriptors.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/descriptors.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
+
 import functools
 import inspect
 import logging
@@ -30,7 +31,6 @@
 from synapse.logging.context import make_deferred_yieldable, preserve_fn
 from synapse.util import unwrapFirstError
 from synapse.util.async_helpers import ObservableDeferred
-from synapse.util.caches import get_cache_factor_for
 from synapse.util.caches.lrucache import LruCache
 from synapse.util.caches.treecache import TreeCache, iterate_tree_cache_entry
 
@@ -81,7 +81,6 @@ def invalidate(self):
 class Cache(object):
     __slots__ = (
         "cache",
-        "max_entries",
         "name",
         "keylen",
         "thread",
@@ -89,7 +88,29 @@ class Cache(object):
         "_pending_deferred_cache",
     )
 
-    def __init__(self, name, max_entries=1000, keylen=1, tree=False, iterable=False):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        name: str,
+        max_entries: int = 1000,
+        keylen: int = 1,
+        tree: bool = False,
+        iterable: bool = False,
+        apply_cache_factor_from_config: bool = True,
+    ):
+        """
+        Args:
+            name: The name of the cache
+            max_entries: Maximum amount of entries that the cache will hold
+            keylen: The length of the tuple used as the cache key
+            tree: Use a TreeCache instead of a dict as the underlying cache type
+            iterable: If True, count each item in the cached object as an entry,
+                rather than each cached object
+            apply_cache_factor_from_config: Whether cache factors specified in the
+                config file affect `max_entries`
+
+        Returns:
+            Cache
+        """
         cache_type = TreeCache if tree else dict
         self._pending_deferred_cache = cache_type()
 
@@ -99,6 +120,7 @@ def __init__(self, name, max_entries=1000, keylen=1, tree=False, iterable=False)
             cache_type=cache_type,
             size_callback=(lambda d: len(d)) if iterable else None,
             evicted_callback=self._on_evicted,
+            apply_cache_factor_from_config=apply_cache_factor_from_config,
         )
 
         self.name = name
@@ -111,6 +133,10 @@ def __init__(self, name, max_entries=1000, keylen=1, tree=False, iterable=False)
             collect_callback=self._metrics_collection_callback,
         )
 
+    @property
+    def max_entries(self):
+        return self.cache.max_size
+
     def _on_evicted(self, evicted_count):
         self.metrics.inc_evictions(evicted_count)
 
@@ -370,13 +396,11 @@ def __init__(
             cache_context=cache_context,
         )
 
-        max_entries = int(max_entries * get_cache_factor_for(orig.__name__))
-
         self.max_entries = max_entries
         self.tree = tree
         self.iterable = iterable
 
-    def __get__(self, obj, objtype=None):
+    def __get__(self, obj, owner):
         cache = Cache(
             name=self.orig.__name__,
             max_entries=self.max_entries,
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py b/synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py
index cddf1ed51521..2726b67b6d5a 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/expiringcache.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 from six import iteritems, itervalues
 
+from synapse.config import cache as cache_config
 from synapse.metrics.background_process_metrics import run_as_background_process
 from synapse.util.caches import register_cache
 
@@ -51,15 +52,16 @@ def __init__(
                 an item on access. Defaults to False.
             iterable (bool): If true, the size is calculated by summing the
                 sizes of all entries, rather than the number of entries.
-
         """
         self._cache_name = cache_name
 
+        self._original_max_size = max_len
+
+        self._max_size = int(max_len * cache_config.properties.default_factor_size)
+
         self._clock = clock
 
-        self._max_len = max_len
         self._expiry_ms = expiry_ms
-
         self._reset_expiry_on_get = reset_expiry_on_get
 
         self._cache = OrderedDict()
@@ -82,9 +84,11 @@ def f():
     def __setitem__(self, key, value):
         now = self._clock.time_msec()
         self._cache[key] = _CacheEntry(now, value)
+        self.evict()
 
+    def evict(self):
         # Evict if there are now too many items
-        while self._max_len and len(self) > self._max_len:
+        while self._max_size and len(self) > self._max_size:
             _key, value = self._cache.popitem(last=False)
             if self.iterable:
                 self.metrics.inc_evictions(len(value.value))
@@ -170,6 +174,23 @@ def __len__(self):
         else:
             return len(self._cache)
 
+    def set_cache_factor(self, factor: float) -> bool:
+        """
+        Set the cache factor for this individual cache.
+
+        This will trigger a resize if it changes, which may require evicting
+        items from the cache.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: Whether the cache changed size or not.
+        """
+        new_size = int(self._original_max_size * factor)
+        if new_size != self._max_size:
+            self._max_size = new_size
+            self.evict()
+            return True
+        return False
+
 
 class _CacheEntry(object):
     __slots__ = ["time", "value"]
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/lrucache.py b/synapse/util/caches/lrucache.py
index 1536cb64f3bd..29fabac3cdb7 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/lrucache.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/lrucache.py
@@ -13,10 +13,11 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-
 import threading
 from functools import wraps
+from typing import Callable, Optional, Type, Union
 
+from synapse.config import cache as cache_config
 from synapse.util.caches.treecache import TreeCache
 
 
@@ -52,17 +53,18 @@ class LruCache(object):
 
     def __init__(
         self,
-        max_size,
-        keylen=1,
-        cache_type=dict,
-        size_callback=None,
-        evicted_callback=None,
+        max_size: int,
+        keylen: int = 1,
+        cache_type: Type[Union[dict, TreeCache]] = dict,
+        size_callback: Optional[Callable] = None,
+        evicted_callback: Optional[Callable] = None,
+        apply_cache_factor_from_config: bool = True,
     ):
         """
         Args:
-            max_size (int):
+            max_size: The maximum amount of entries the cache can hold
 
-            keylen (int):
+            keylen: The length of the tuple used as the cache key
 
             cache_type (type):
                 type of underlying cache to be used. Typically one of dict
@@ -73,9 +75,23 @@ def __init__(
             evicted_callback (func(int)|None):
                 if not None, called on eviction with the size of the evicted
                 entry
+
+            apply_cache_factor_from_config (bool): If true, `max_size` will be
+                multiplied by a cache factor derived from the homeserver config
         """
         cache = cache_type()
         self.cache = cache  # Used for introspection.
+
+        # Save the original max size, and apply the default size factor.
+        self._original_max_size = max_size
+        # We previously didn't apply the cache factor here, and as such some caches were
+        # not affected by the global cache factor. Add an option here to disable applying
+        # the cache factor when a cache is created
+        if apply_cache_factor_from_config:
+            self.max_size = int(max_size * cache_config.properties.default_factor_size)
+        else:
+            self.max_size = int(max_size)
+
         list_root = _Node(None, None, None, None)
         list_root.next_node = list_root
         list_root.prev_node = list_root
@@ -83,7 +99,7 @@ def __init__(
         lock = threading.Lock()
 
         def evict():
-            while cache_len() > max_size:
+            while cache_len() > self.max_size:
                 todelete = list_root.prev_node
                 evicted_len = delete_node(todelete)
                 cache.pop(todelete.key, None)
@@ -236,6 +252,7 @@ def cache_contains(key):
             return key in cache
 
         self.sentinel = object()
+        self._on_resize = evict
         self.get = cache_get
         self.set = cache_set
         self.setdefault = cache_set_default
@@ -266,3 +283,20 @@ def __len__(self):
 
     def __contains__(self, key):
         return self.contains(key)
+
+    def set_cache_factor(self, factor: float) -> bool:
+        """
+        Set the cache factor for this individual cache.
+
+        This will trigger a resize if it changes, which may require evicting
+        items from the cache.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: Whether the cache changed size or not.
+        """
+        new_size = int(self._original_max_size * factor)
+        if new_size != self.max_size:
+            self.max_size = new_size
+            self._on_resize()
+            return True
+        return False
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/response_cache.py b/synapse/util/caches/response_cache.py
index b68f9fe0d488..a6c60888e5f8 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/response_cache.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/response_cache.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def __init__(self, hs, name, timeout_ms=0):
         self.timeout_sec = timeout_ms / 1000.0
 
         self._name = name
-        self._metrics = register_cache("response_cache", name, self)
+        self._metrics = register_cache("response_cache", name, self, resizable=False)
 
     def size(self):
         return len(self.pending_result_cache)
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py b/synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py
index e54f80d76eeb..2a161bf24449 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/stream_change_cache.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
+import math
 from typing import Dict, FrozenSet, List, Mapping, Optional, Set, Union
 
 from six import integer_types
@@ -46,7 +47,8 @@ def __init__(
         max_size=10000,
         prefilled_cache: Optional[Mapping[EntityType, int]] = None,
     ):
-        self._max_size = int(max_size * caches.CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR)
+        self._original_max_size = max_size
+        self._max_size = math.floor(max_size)
         self._entity_to_key = {}  # type: Dict[EntityType, int]
 
         # map from stream id to the a set of entities which changed at that stream id.
@@ -58,12 +60,31 @@ def __init__(
         #
         self._earliest_known_stream_pos = current_stream_pos
         self.name = name
-        self.metrics = caches.register_cache("cache", self.name, self._cache)
+        self.metrics = caches.register_cache(
+            "cache", self.name, self._cache, resize_callback=self.set_cache_factor
+        )
 
         if prefilled_cache:
             for entity, stream_pos in prefilled_cache.items():
                 self.entity_has_changed(entity, stream_pos)
 
+    def set_cache_factor(self, factor: float) -> bool:
+        """
+        Set the cache factor for this individual cache.
+
+        This will trigger a resize if it changes, which may require evicting
+        items from the cache.
+
+        Returns:
+            bool: Whether the cache changed size or not.
+        """
+        new_size = math.floor(self._original_max_size * factor)
+        if new_size != self._max_size:
+            self.max_size = new_size
+            self._evict()
+            return True
+        return False
+
     def has_entity_changed(self, entity: EntityType, stream_pos: int) -> bool:
         """Returns True if the entity may have been updated since stream_pos
         """
@@ -171,6 +192,7 @@ def entity_has_changed(self, entity: EntityType, stream_pos: int) -> None:
             e1 = self._cache[stream_pos] = set()
         e1.add(entity)
         self._entity_to_key[entity] = stream_pos
+        self._evict()
 
         # if the cache is too big, remove entries
         while len(self._cache) > self._max_size:
@@ -179,6 +201,13 @@ def entity_has_changed(self, entity: EntityType, stream_pos: int) -> None:
             for entity in r:
                 del self._entity_to_key[entity]
 
+    def _evict(self):
+        while len(self._cache) > self._max_size:
+            k, r = self._cache.popitem(0)
+            self._earliest_known_stream_pos = max(k, self._earliest_known_stream_pos)
+            for entity in r:
+                self._entity_to_key.pop(entity, None)
+
     def get_max_pos_of_last_change(self, entity: EntityType) -> int:
 
         """Returns an upper bound of the stream id of the last change to an
diff --git a/synapse/util/caches/ttlcache.py b/synapse/util/caches/ttlcache.py
index 99646c7cf09b..6437aa907e0f 100644
--- a/synapse/util/caches/ttlcache.py
+++ b/synapse/util/caches/ttlcache.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def __init__(self, cache_name, timer=time.time):
 
         self._timer = timer
 
-        self._metrics = register_cache("ttl", cache_name, self)
+        self._metrics = register_cache("ttl", cache_name, self, resizable=False)
 
     def set(self, key, value, ttl):
         """Add/update an entry in the cache
diff --git a/tests/config/test_cache.py b/tests/config/test_cache.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..292027912569
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/config/test_cache.py
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2020 Matrix.org Foundation C.I.C.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+from synapse.config._base import Config, RootConfig
+from synapse.config.cache import CacheConfig, add_resizable_cache
+from synapse.util.caches.lrucache import LruCache
+
+from tests.unittest import TestCase
+
+
+class FakeServer(Config):
+    section = "server"
+
+
+class TestConfig(RootConfig):
+    config_classes = [FakeServer, CacheConfig]
+
+
+class CacheConfigTests(TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        # Reset caches before each test
+        TestConfig().caches.reset()
+
+    def test_individual_caches_from_environ(self):
+        """
+        Individual cache factors will be loaded from the environment.
+        """
+        config = {}
+        t = TestConfig()
+        t.caches._environ = {
+            "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_SOMETHING_OR_OTHER": "2",
+            "SYNAPSE_NOT_CACHE": "BLAH",
+        }
+        t.read_config(config, config_dir_path="", data_dir_path="")
+
+        self.assertEqual(dict(t.caches.cache_factors), {"something_or_other": 2.0})
+
+    def test_config_overrides_environ(self):
+        """
+        Individual cache factors defined in the environment will take precedence
+        over those in the config.
+        """
+        config = {"caches": {"per_cache_factors": {"foo": 2, "bar": 3}}}
+        t = TestConfig()
+        t.caches._environ = {
+            "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_SOMETHING_OR_OTHER": "2",
+            "SYNAPSE_CACHE_FACTOR_FOO": 1,
+        }
+        t.read_config(config, config_dir_path="", data_dir_path="")
+
+        self.assertEqual(
+            dict(t.caches.cache_factors),
+            {"foo": 1.0, "bar": 3.0, "something_or_other": 2.0},
+        )
+
+    def test_individual_instantiated_before_config_load(self):
+        """
+        If a cache is instantiated before the config is read, it will be given
+        the default cache size in the interim, and then resized once the config
+        is loaded.
+        """
+        cache = LruCache(100)
+
+        add_resizable_cache("foo", cache_resize_callback=cache.set_cache_factor)
+        self.assertEqual(cache.max_size, 50)
+
+        config = {"caches": {"per_cache_factors": {"foo": 3}}}
+        t = TestConfig()
+        t.read_config(config, config_dir_path="", data_dir_path="")
+
+        self.assertEqual(cache.max_size, 300)
+
+    def test_individual_instantiated_after_config_load(self):
+        """
+        If a cache is instantiated after the config is read, it will be
+        immediately resized to the correct size given the per_cache_factor if
+        there is one.
+        """
+        config = {"caches": {"per_cache_factors": {"foo": 2}}}
+        t = TestConfig()
+        t.read_config(config, config_dir_path="", data_dir_path="")
+
+        cache = LruCache(100)
+        add_resizable_cache("foo", cache_resize_callback=cache.set_cache_factor)
+        self.assertEqual(cache.max_size, 200)
+
+    def test_global_instantiated_before_config_load(self):
+        """
+        If a cache is instantiated before the config is read, it will be given
+        the default cache size in the interim, and then resized to the new
+        default cache size once the config is loaded.
+        """
+        cache = LruCache(100)
+        add_resizable_cache("foo", cache_resize_callback=cache.set_cache_factor)
+        self.assertEqual(cache.max_size, 50)
+
+        config = {"caches": {"global_factor": 4}}
+        t = TestConfig()
+        t.read_config(config, config_dir_path="", data_dir_path="")
+
+        self.assertEqual(cache.max_size, 400)
+
+    def test_global_instantiated_after_config_load(self):
+        """
+        If a cache is instantiated after the config is read, it will be
+        immediately resized to the correct size given the global factor if there
+        is no per-cache factor.
+        """
+        config = {"caches": {"global_factor": 1.5}}
+        t = TestConfig()
+        t.read_config(config, config_dir_path="", data_dir_path="")
+
+        cache = LruCache(100)
+        add_resizable_cache("foo", cache_resize_callback=cache.set_cache_factor)
+        self.assertEqual(cache.max_size, 150)
diff --git a/tests/storage/test__base.py b/tests/storage/test__base.py
index e37260a820c6..5a50e4fdd454 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test__base.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test__base.py
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
 from tests import unittest
 
 
-class CacheTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
-    def setUp(self):
+class CacheTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
+    def prepare(self, reactor, clock, homeserver):
         self.cache = Cache("test")
 
     def test_empty(self):
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ def test_eviction_lru(self):
         cache.get(3)
 
 
-class CacheDecoratorTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
+class CacheDecoratorTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def test_passthrough(self):
         class A(object):
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ def test_eviction_context(self):
         callcount2 = [0]
 
         class A(object):
-            @cached(max_entries=4)  # HACK: This makes it 2 due to cache factor
+            @cached(max_entries=2)
             def func(self, key):
                 callcount[0] += 1
                 return key
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_appservice.py b/tests/storage/test_appservice.py
index 31710949a820..ef296e7dab14 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_appservice.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_appservice.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         )
 
         hs.config.app_service_config_files = self.as_yaml_files
-        hs.config.event_cache_size = 1
+        hs.config.caches.event_cache_size = 1
         hs.config.password_providers = []
 
         self.as_token = "token1"
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         )
 
         hs.config.app_service_config_files = self.as_yaml_files
-        hs.config.event_cache_size = 1
+        hs.config.caches.event_cache_size = 1
         hs.config.password_providers = []
 
         self.as_list = [
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ def test_unique_works(self):
         )
 
         hs.config.app_service_config_files = [f1, f2]
-        hs.config.event_cache_size = 1
+        hs.config.caches.event_cache_size = 1
         hs.config.password_providers = []
 
         database = hs.get_datastores().databases[0]
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ def test_duplicate_ids(self):
         )
 
         hs.config.app_service_config_files = [f1, f2]
-        hs.config.event_cache_size = 1
+        hs.config.caches.event_cache_size = 1
         hs.config.password_providers = []
 
         with self.assertRaises(ConfigError) as cm:
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ def test_duplicate_as_tokens(self):
         )
 
         hs.config.app_service_config_files = [f1, f2]
-        hs.config.event_cache_size = 1
+        hs.config.caches.event_cache_size = 1
         hs.config.password_providers = []
 
         with self.assertRaises(ConfigError) as cm:
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_base.py b/tests/storage/test_base.py
index cdee0a9e60b4..278961c33144 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_base.py
@@ -51,7 +51,8 @@ def runWithConnection(func, *args, **kwargs):
 
         config = Mock()
         config._disable_native_upserts = True
-        config.event_cache_size = 1
+        config.caches = Mock()
+        config.caches.event_cache_size = 1
         hs = TestHomeServer("test", config=config)
 
         sqlite_config = {"name": "sqlite3"}
diff --git a/tests/test_metrics.py b/tests/test_metrics.py
index 270f853d602e..f5f63d8ed699 100644
--- a/tests/test_metrics.py
+++ b/tests/test_metrics.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 from synapse.metrics import REGISTRY, InFlightGauge, generate_latest
+from synapse.util.caches.descriptors import Cache
 
 from tests import unittest
 
@@ -129,3 +130,36 @@ def test_get_build(self):
         self.assertTrue(b"osversion=" in items[0])
         self.assertTrue(b"pythonversion=" in items[0])
         self.assertTrue(b"version=" in items[0])
+
+
+class CacheMetricsTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
+    def test_cache_metric(self):
+        """
+        Caches produce metrics reflecting their state when scraped.
+        """
+        CACHE_NAME = "cache_metrics_test_fgjkbdfg"
+        cache = Cache(CACHE_NAME, max_entries=777)
+
+        items = {
+            x.split(b"{")[0].decode("ascii"): x.split(b" ")[1].decode("ascii")
+            for x in filter(
+                lambda x: b"cache_metrics_test_fgjkbdfg" in x,
+                generate_latest(REGISTRY).split(b"\n"),
+            )
+        }
+
+        self.assertEqual(items["synapse_util_caches_cache_size"], "0.0")
+        self.assertEqual(items["synapse_util_caches_cache_max_size"], "777.0")
+
+        cache.prefill("1", "hi")
+
+        items = {
+            x.split(b"{")[0].decode("ascii"): x.split(b" ")[1].decode("ascii")
+            for x in filter(
+                lambda x: b"cache_metrics_test_fgjkbdfg" in x,
+                generate_latest(REGISTRY).split(b"\n"),
+            )
+        }
+
+        self.assertEqual(items["synapse_util_caches_cache_size"], "1.0")
+        self.assertEqual(items["synapse_util_caches_cache_max_size"], "777.0")
diff --git a/tests/util/test_expiring_cache.py b/tests/util/test_expiring_cache.py
index 50bc7702d20b..49ffeebd0ed5 100644
--- a/tests/util/test_expiring_cache.py
+++ b/tests/util/test_expiring_cache.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 from .. import unittest
 
 
-class ExpiringCacheTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
+class ExpiringCacheTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
     def test_get_set(self):
         clock = MockClock()
         cache = ExpiringCache("test", clock, max_len=1)
diff --git a/tests/util/test_lrucache.py b/tests/util/test_lrucache.py
index 786947375df2..0adb2174af98 100644
--- a/tests/util/test_lrucache.py
+++ b/tests/util/test_lrucache.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 from .. import unittest
 
 
-class LruCacheTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
+class LruCacheTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
     def test_get_set(self):
         cache = LruCache(1)
         cache["key"] = "value"
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def test_clear(self):
         self.assertEquals(len(cache), 0)
 
 
-class LruCacheCallbacksTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
+class LruCacheCallbacksTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
     def test_get(self):
         m = Mock()
         cache = LruCache(1)
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ def test_eviction(self):
         self.assertEquals(m3.call_count, 1)
 
 
-class LruCacheSizedTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
+class LruCacheSizedTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
     def test_evict(self):
         cache = LruCache(5, size_callback=len)
         cache["key1"] = [0]
diff --git a/tests/util/test_stream_change_cache.py b/tests/util/test_stream_change_cache.py
index 6857933540d6..13b753e367fa 100644
--- a/tests/util/test_stream_change_cache.py
+++ b/tests/util/test_stream_change_cache.py
@@ -1,11 +1,9 @@
-from mock import patch
-
 from synapse.util.caches.stream_change_cache import StreamChangeCache
 
 from tests import unittest
 
 
-class StreamChangeCacheTests(unittest.TestCase):
+class StreamChangeCacheTests(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
     """
     Tests for StreamChangeCache.
     """
@@ -54,7 +52,6 @@ def test_has_entity_changed(self):
         self.assertTrue(cache.has_entity_changed("user@foo.com", 0))
         self.assertTrue(cache.has_entity_changed("not@here.website", 0))
 
-    @patch("synapse.util.caches.CACHE_SIZE_FACTOR", 1.0)
     def test_entity_has_changed_pops_off_start(self):
         """
         StreamChangeCache.entity_has_changed will respect the max size and
diff --git a/tests/utils.py b/tests/utils.py
index f9be62b499fd..59c020a051e9 100644
--- a/tests/utils.py
+++ b/tests/utils.py
@@ -167,6 +167,7 @@ def default_config(name, parse=False):
         # disable user directory updates, because they get done in the
         # background, which upsets the test runner.
         "update_user_directory": False,
+        "caches": {"global_factor": 1},
     }
 
     if parse: