Opera GX is a browser built specifically for gamers, and one of its standout features is the ability to control resource usage on your computer. This is an essential capability, especially for gamers who need every bit of CPU and GPU power available for their games, without being bogged down by background applications like web browsers.
Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or multitasking, knowing how to limit CPU and GPU usage in Opera GX will help optimize your computer’s performance.
This guide will show you how to fine-tune the settings to limit your browser’s impact on your system.
What is Opera GX and Why Resource Limiting Matters:
Opera GX, introduced as the world’s first browser for gamers, comes with several powerful features aimed at enhancing gaming performance while browsing. Two of its most important features are GX Control and Hot Tabs Killer, which allow users to manage and limit the CPU, RAM, and network bandwidth usage. By managing these, users can enhance their gaming performance by freeing up critical system resources. Excessive browser usage of CPU and GPU resources can lead to performance drops, lagging gameplay, or even hardware overheating.
How to Access and Use GX Control in Opera GX:
GX Control is one of the core features that allow users to limit CPU and GPU usage easily. To access this feature:
- Open Opera GX.
- Select the GX Control panel located in the sidebar (by clicking on the GX Control symbol, you can enable the sidebar).
- You will see two primary sliders: RAM Limiter and CPU Limiter.
1. Setting the CPU Limiter:
The CPU Limiter is specifically designed to prevent Opera GX from using too much processing power, leaving more for other applications or gaming.
- By enabling the CPU Limiter, you can control the percentage of CPU that the browser is allowed to use.
- To customise the CPU utilisation, move the slider. For example, setting the limiter at 50% will restrict Opera GX to using only 50% of the CPU’s resources.
Why this matters: When you’re playing games that require a lot of processing power, reducing the CPU usage of background applications like browsers ensures that your games have access to the necessary resources.
2. Setting the RAM Limiter:
The RAM Limiter feature helps control the amount of memory (RAM) that Opera GX uses. This is especially helpful when running resource-heavy applications simultaneously.
- Click on the RAM Limiter to activate it.
- Use the slider to select a maximum RAM threshold. Opera GX will then prioritize tabs and processes to stay within this limit.
By reducing RAM usage, you ensure that your system memory is more available for gaming or multitasking without experiencing slowdowns due to insufficient memory.
Utilizing the Hot Tabs Killer to Manage Heavy Tabs:
One of the unique features of Opera GX is the Hot Tabs Killer, a tool that identifies which tabs are using the most resources. This allows users to quickly close heavy resource-using tabs that might be slowing down performance. Here’s how to use it:
- Open the GX Control panel.
- Click on the Hot Tabs Killer button.
- Opera GX will list all open tabs and display how much CPU and RAM each tab is using.
- You can then close the heaviest tabs directly from the panel to free up system resources.
Tip: Closing tabs that are running demanding scripts or media-heavy content can reduce GPU and CPU usage significantly.
Additional Tips to Limit CPU and GPU Usage in Opera GX:
While the GX Control panel is the main tool for limiting CPU and GPU usage in Opera GX, there are additional steps you can take to further reduce the browser’s impact on your system:
1. Turn Off Animations and Visual Effects:
Visual effects and animations in Opera GX can consume both CPU and GPU resources. By disabling these effects, you can reduce the load on your hardware.
- Go to Settings.
- Search for GX Design.
- Disable browser animations and transparency effects.
2. Block Resource-Heavy Ads and Trackers:
Ads, trackers, and scripts on web pages can increase CPU usage dramatically, especially if they are video or media-rich ads. Opera GX includes an integrated ad blocker, which helps in reducing resource consumption.
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll to the Privacy & Security section and enable Block Ads.
Blocking unnecessary ads and trackers not only speeds up page load times but also helps reduce the browser’s overall CPU and GPU usage.
3. Disable Unnecessary Extensions;
Browser extensions, while useful, can sometimes consume background resources. Certain extensions may be particularly resource-heavy, especially those that involve frequent updates or background tasks.
- Enter opera://extensions in the address bar to manage extensions.
- Disable or remove any unnecessary extensions.
Tip: Keep only essential extensions active to reduce background processes and minimize CPU and GPU usage.
4. Update Graphics Drivers and Opera GX:
Keeping your GPU drivers and browser updated can improve performance and reduce unnecessary resource usage. Updated drivers often come with optimizations that allow for better management of CPU and GPU load.
- Regularly check for updates by going to Opera GX Settings > Update & Recovery.
- Ensure your GPU drivers are up to date via the manufacturer’s website.
Optimizing Performance Beyond the Browser:
Limiting CPU and GPU usage in Opera GX is a good start, but further optimizations can help improve overall system performance:
- Limit Background Applications: Close any unnecessary background applications that could be consuming resources.
- Use Game Boosting Software: Applications like Razer Cortex can further optimize your PC by managing background processes and prioritizing game performance.
Conclusion:
Opera GX offers powerful tools to limit CPU and GPU usage, making it a great browser choice for gamers and power users. By leveraging features like GX Control, Hot Tabs Killer, and optimizing settings, you can ensure that your browser doesn’t interfere with gaming or other high-demand applications. Combine these tools with best practices like disabling visual effects, blocking ads, and updating drivers to further enhance performance. Start customizing your Opera GX settings today to maximize your gaming experience without compromising performance.
FAQ’s:
1. How do I limit CPU usage in Opera GX?
You can limit CPU usage by accessing the GX Control panel and adjusting the CPU Limiter slider to restrict the percentage of CPU Opera GX can use.
2. Can I limit GPU usage in Opera GX?
While Opera GX doesn’t have a direct GPU limiter, you can reduce GPU load by disabling animations and visual effects in the settings and using Hot Tabs Killer to close resource-heavy tabs.
3. What is the GX Control panel in Opera GX?
The GX Control panel allows users to manage resource usage, including CPU and RAM, to optimize system performance while browsing and gaming.
4. How can I stop Opera GX from using too much RAM?
Activate the RAM Limiter in the GX Control panel and set a maximum limit to control the browser’s memory usage.
5. What is Hot Tabs Killer in Opera GX?
Hot Tabs Killer identifies and allows you to close tabs that are using the most CPU or RAM, helping to free up system resources.
6. Does blocking ads reduce CPU usage in Opera GX?
Yes, enabling the built-in ad blocker reduces resource-heavy ads and trackers, which can significantly lower CPU usage.
7. Can disabling extensions reduce CPU and GPU usage in Opera GX?
Yes, disabling unnecessary extensions helps reduce background processes, lowering CPU and GPU resource consumption.
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