Browser about:memory screenshot thread

[lovinglinux]

I have seen many posts in the past complaining about browser memory usage. So, the idea of this thread is to compare each user browser about:memory page, to see where the memory is going and perhaps try to optimize it. Additionally, some users might not be aware of the existence of the about:memory page. I think this can be fun, educational and helpful at the same time.

I am not an expert on memory usage, but I think that together we can figure out some things. For instance, as you can see under the storage section in the screenshot below, that lazarus.sqlite database is using 60Mb.



Lazarus is an extension that saves what you type in forms, so in case the browser crashes you can recover the text. It is a very useful add-on, however 60Mb is too much to trade. So I opened Lazarus Database preferences and used the feature to Clean The Database, then restarted the browser. I didn't help. So I opened my FF profile and deleted the lazarus.sqlite. I probably could have done through Lazarus preferences as well. Anyways, I have gained 60 Mb in my Firefox RAM usage.



This is a temporary solution tho. I have reduced the time lazarus keep old forms and will see if the database grows too much. If it does, I might go back to Textarea Cache extension.

So, let's see where your browser memory is going. If you have many tabs open, keep in mind that some page addresses might be revealed in the about:memory page. So, check the about:memory page before taking the screenshot.


How to get the memory page?

Simply type about:memory in the address bar and hit enter. It works for Chrome and Firefox. However, it doesn't work on Firefox 3.6.x, only in Firefox 4 upwards.

How to make a screenshot?

I recommend Awesome Screenshot, which is available for Chrome and Firefox:

Firefox

Chrome

How to post?

Please, don't post big images directly with img tags. Use a service that provides thumbnails for forums or post just the image link.

.

[guyver_dio]

1 trick I found while browsing for tweaks.

Tweak the browser.sessionhistory.max_total_viewers variable
This variable specifies Firefox how many pages it should keep in the memory, so when you hit Back and Forward buttons it loads pages faster. The default value is -1, which means that it sets a certain number of pages depending on the total RAM memory the system has. You can change this value to 0 (just double-click the variable), which means it won't hold into memory any pages.

Also my screenshot, using firefox 8, mines not to bad, i've got about 5 tabs open.

http://awesomescreenshot.com/0acqovscd

[lovinglinux]

1 trick I found while browsing for tweaks.

I keep mine at 5.

Also my screenshot, using firefox 8, mines not to bad, i've got about 5 tabs open.

http://awesomescreenshot.com/0acqovscd

Not bad indeed.

Most of my memory usage comes from add-ons. They consume about 180 Mb.

[Ms. Daisy]

This is very cool and informative- thanks!

edit: I'm inspired to see how NoScript & Adblock affect memory use- I make heavy use of those add-ons.

[crazy bird]

about:memory gives me this --> see screenshot.

[lovinglinux]

about:memory gives me this --> see screenshot.

As mentioned in the first post, it doesn't work on Firefox 3.6.x. If you want to upgrade to Firefox 9, see Firefox 9 & Beyond Mega Thread

[thedarkdonut]

Unfortunately the chrome extension that you linked doesn't allow screenshots of internal chrome webpages or it's the other way around.

[lovinglinux]

Unfortunately the chrome extension that you linked doesn't allow screenshots of internal chrome webpages or it's the other way around.

Sorry. Indeed Chrome has such limitation. I will try to figure out a way around it.

[Shazaam]

Mine (with 12 extensions running on FF 9.01)...
http://awesomescreenshot.com/0c8qqir19

Off topic- Anyone try Aurora yet? Seems to be a bit faster than FF 9.

[Zoot7]

Here you go...