New Chrome update shows you which sites are slowing down your PC, and it’s about time
A new addition to the Chrome desktop browser lets you view the memory usage of each tab, helping you figure out which sites are slowing down your laptop.
After introducing Google Chrome's new Memory Saver mode earlier this year, Google has now introduced a feature that reports memory usage on individual tabs when you hover over them in your browser. The feature is now available on most desktop platforms, including ChromeOS, Windows, and Mac, as long as you use Google Chrome version 119 or later.
In addition to showing the domain and page name, the Chrome tabs include a mini report that shows the RAM usage of each page. The report contains information about the memory usage caused by the content displayed on the tab, in addition to any background processes that are consuming memory. If a tab has been inactive for a certain amount of time, Chrome will also indicate whether the Memory Saver feature has paused the tab to save memory.
Monitoring memory usage promises to be very useful for users who want to see which tabs and processes may be slowing down their system. It also provides an easier way to find tab usage stats, as you no longer have to navigate the three-dot menu.
Chrome's memory and power saving modes
As mentioned, this latest update is an expansion of Chrome's memory and power saving modes introduced on desktop platforms this year.
Memory Saver Mode works by saving memory from tabs that have been inactive for certain periods of time, allowing other tabs on your desktop to work more efficiently. Any inactive tabs will still be visible and will reload when you return to them.
Power Saver mode, meanwhile, conserves your PC's battery life by limiting visual and background activity, including animations, and lowering video frame rates. When this mode is enabled, visual performance appears slightly reduced, and you can set Power Saver mode to turn on when the battery reaches 20% and when your PC is disconnected. Both modes are enabled by default and can be adjusted in the Chrome settings sidebar.