Google Chrome and Memory Use

Google Chrome and Memory Use
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Dedicated Resources

All web browsers use a portion of your computer’s memory and other system resources. What makes Google Chrome different is the way in which those resources are allocated. Most other browsers request a set amount of memory and then dived that memory between all the tabs you open. This serves to preserve system resources, but slows down the browser in proportion to the number of active tabs you have open. While this approach saves you a small amount of memory, it may not be the most efficient way to use your browser. Especially if you spend a lot of time online, or use Internet applications like Google Docs or online applications on your company’s server.Google Chrome is different because each tab you open is given dedicated memory and its own Javascript engine. While it does use more system resources that the traditional method, there are several advantages that can’t be ignored. First, dedicated memory means faster browsing, less downtime, and almost nonexistent browser crashes. If, by some chance a page you’re browsing causes a crash, only that tab will crash. Your other tabs will be unaffected by the error. If you’re working with any sort of web application your other tabs, this means your work will be unaffected. Second, dedicated memory equals more reclaimed memory when you close the tab. With traditional browsers, the processing space used for tabs isn’t cleaned up to be reused by the system until you close the browser completely. Let’s say you have 15 tabs open in your standard browser. Your computer starts to hang on simple tasks, you check system resources and find memory is low. So, you close 10 tabs, and expect your system return to normal speed, but it doesn’t. That’s because the processing space used by those tabs won’t be cleared for use by another program until you close the browser. In some cases, it may even require a restart. Chrome’s dedicated memory eliminates this problem all together. When you close a tab, the processing space used by that tab is cleaned and returned to system resources right away.Dedicated memory and Javascript engines give one further advantage to traditional browsers. If your system is attacked by a malicious website you can simply close the affected tab and continue on about your business. The rest of your tabs, and your system in general will most likely remain safe. To learn more about this read How Does Google Chrome Protect You From Malware? It might take a bit of getting used to, but Google Chrome’s approach to memory and resource usage just may set a new standard.

This post is part of the series: Everything You Need To Know About Google Chrome

Google’s entry into browser development is the talk of the ’net. We cover everything you need to know to get the most out of Google Chrome.

  1. Comparing Google Chrome to Mozilla Firefox
  2. Google Chrome: Setting Homepage, Start up page and Handling Passwords
  3. What are Dynamic tabs in Google Chrome
  4. How to create Application shortcuts in Google Chrome
  5. Google Chrome: Importing Settings From Other Browsers
  6. How Google Chrome makes it simpler to download
  7. How Does Google Chrome Protect You From Phishing?
  8. Memory Usage, How is it Different in Google Chrome?