For many gamers, multitasking is a standard part of the experience, often involving keeping a browser open in the background for quick access during lulls in gameplay. However, managing numerous tabs—especially those that are resource-heavy, like YouTube or Twitch—can lead to significant dips in frame rates (FPS) and unexpected lag. Opera GX, a gaming-oriented web browser developed by Opera, offers unique functionalities designed to minimize these issues, which we will explore in detail below.
Optimize Resource Consumption with GX Control
One of the standout features of Opera GX is its ability to regulate resource allocation via GX Control. This functionality empowers users to set limits on the browser’s consumption of RAM, CPU, and network bandwidth. Typically, browsers will absorb more system resources as you navigate, potentially impacting your gaming performance. With GX Control, you can ensure that gaming remains fluid and uninterrupted, even during extended browsing sessions.
To access these controls, simply click on the GX Control option located in the left toolbar. Here, you will find settings for the RAM Limiter, Network Limiter, and CPU Limiter.
Here’s how to maximize your experience with these settings:
- RAM Limiter: This operates in increments of 0.50 GB, with a baseline of 1 GB RAM. It is advisable to allocate at least 25% of your total RAM for Opera GX. For instance, if your system has 16GB of RAM, consider setting this to 4GB. The Hard Limit toggle is available to ensure Opera GX stays within your specified limits, although this may lead to some reduced performance.
- Network Limiter: If latency in online gaming is a concern, you can adjust your bandwidth limits here. For smooth Full HD streaming, a speed of 6-10 Mbps is essential; therefore, adjust your settings accordingly for optimal online gameplay.
- CPU Limiter: We recommend a minimum of 25%, with 50% as a more effective setting. High CPU usage is generally uncommon when gaming, allowing Opera GX to run in the background without performance issues.
By utilizing these limits, Opera GX effectively curtails background tasks, managing memory usage from inactive tabs. It’s worth noting that some tabs may need to be restored after extended inactivity, and you might experience delayed tab switching based on your configurations.
Terminate Resource-Intensive Tabs with Hot Tabs Killer
In addition to resource management, Opera GX provides insights into which tabs are hogging CPU and RAM resources. Within the GX Control section is the Hot Tabs Killer tool, which features buttons for CPU and RAM usage alongside a list of currently open tabs. By selecting either button, you can sort tabs to identify those with high resource consumption.
If you identify a tab that is draining too many resources and is unnecessary, simply click the Cross (X) button next to it to promptly terminate that tab.
Maintain Optimal Performance with GX Cleaner
The built-in GX Cleaner within Opera GX serves as a valuable tool to keep your browser free from junk data, enhancing speed and efficiency. Unlike more aggressive system cleaning tools, GX Cleaner focuses solely on your browsing environment, allowing complete control over what is deleted.
By clicking the GX Cleaner button on the sidebar, you can view a list of accumulated data available for deletion. Three automatic cleaning options—Min, Med, and Max—facilitate quick cleanup. The Min option removes cache older than 30 days, while the Max setting eliminates all non-recent data.
For those who prefer more granularity, the Advanced Setup feature enables you to select specific items to delete, including cache, cookies, browsing history, and downloads, adjusting preferences for how much of each category to clear.
Seamless Twitch and Discord Integration
Given that many gamers utilize Twitch and Discord during their sessions, Opera GX provides built-in integrations for both platforms right in the browser’s sidebar. This setup minimizes the need to open additional tabs while facilitating quick access to essential services.
For Twitch, the browser displays a concise overview of your followed streamers and their online status. You’ll receive notifications when your favorite streamers begin broadcasting, sparing you the hassle of keeping the Twitch tab constantly open. Similarly, quick access to Discord reduces the necessity of a dedicated tab for chatting and coordinating with friends.
These integrations not only enhance your access to these platforms but also aid in conserving system resources by not requiring full tabs to remain open.
For gamers looking to ensure their browser does not interfere with gameplay, Opera GX offers an array of features designed to enhance the gaming experience. Much like its predecessor, Opera, Opera GX serves as an excellent alternative to Chrome for casual users, even with its primary focus on gaming.
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