People switch to different browsers mainly because they want something faster and better. Brave is a new kid on the block, known for caring a lot about privacy and being pretty efficient. But, folks using the latest systems like Windows 11 or the very popular Windows 10 are wondering if Brave is a good swap for the usual browsers. How does Brave stack up, especially with its CPU and memory munching habits? Let’s take a peek at why Brave’s high CPU and memory usage happens and how it stacks up against Chrome.
Also see: High GPU Usage While Watching YouTube Videos
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Let’s get why browsers eat up resources
Before we get into Brave and its hunger for CPU and RAM, we should get why browsers need your system’s resources in the first place. Here’s the scoop:
- Modern websites are packed with stuff like dynamic content, scripts, animations, and videos. To show all these cool things, your computer’s processor and memory get busy.
- Add-ons and plugins add extra features to your browser, but some can be pretty demanding on your system.
- Browsers like Brave and Chrome do a bunch of things in the background, like updating themselves, syncing data, and checking for new messages or notifications.
Handy guide: How to Limit CPU Usage of a Process in Windows 11
Why Brave might eat more CPU and Memory
Even though Brave brags about being efficient, here’s why it might still eat up a lot of resources sometimes:
- Brave has this cool feature called “Shields” that blocks trackers and ads. While it helps make browsing faster and private, it needs CPU juice to keep an eye on and block these baddies.
- Hardware Acceleration is a trick to make graphics smooth by letting the GPU (a part of your computer good at drawing stuff) take over. But this can make it look like your CPU or memory is working harder than it is.
- Extensions make your browser do more, but some can be a bit greedy with your computer’s resources.
- Opening lots of tabs means your computer has to work harder, as Brave treats each tab like it’s its own little program.
Useful tip: How to Clear RAM Cache in Windows 11
How to make Brave less hungry for CPU and RAM
If Brave is munching too much CPU when you’re browsing, first check if hardware acceleration is on. Turning it off is often suggested on places like Reddit as a good way to fix this. Here’s what you can do:
- Click on the “Brave” menu at the top left.
- Click on “Settings”.
- Go down to “System”.
- Turn off “Use hardware acceleration when available” if it’s causing trouble.
- Also, don’t forget to clean up extensions you don’t really need.
Linked issue: Twitch and YouTube Causing High CPU Usage on Firefox or Chrome
Brave vs. Chrome: Who’s better with CPU?
So, is Brave better than Chrome? Let’s see:
- Both are built on something called “Chromium,” so their guts are pretty similar.
- Brave blocks ads and trackers right out of the box, which can make pages load faster and use less power compared to Chrome without ad blockers.
- Both can use the same extensions from the Chrome Web Store, so it’s a tie here. It all depends on which extensions you pick.
- Without any add-ons, Brave might have a tiny advantage in speed because it’s really good at blocking ads and trackers.
- Chrome has gotten some flak for being a memory hog, especially with lots of tabs open. Brave might handle memory better by default because it doesn’t have to deal with as much stuff on web pages.
Generally, Brave might be a bit easier on the CPU than Chrome, thanks to its ad and tracker blocking. Chrome, with all of Google’s bells and whistles, might use more CPU. But, honestly, for everyday web surfing, the difference might not be that big. It really comes down to the sites you visit, how many extensions you’ve got running, and your browsing habits.
Related resource: Game Lag When Watching YouTube or Twitch on Chrome
Brave’s energy use and battery life
While we’ve been talking about CPU and memory, it’s also good to think about how much power a browser uses, especially if you’re on a laptop. High CPU and memory use means your battery might run out quicker.
Even though Brave’s “Shields” help block stuff that could slow down your browsing, they also need power to keep running. So, if you’re browsing a lot on Brave with a laptop, your battery might not last as long.
Really, any browser that’s doing a lot—whether it’s Brave, Chrome, Firefox, or another—will use more power. It’s all about finding the right balance between the features you want, how fast things load, and how much battery life you need.
Pro tip: How to Test CPU Throttling in Windows 11
Wrapping things up
Brave brings a lot to the table for folks looking for privacy and maybe a bit more speed. Sure, it can get hungry for CPU and memory because of all the cool things it does, but it often ends up being more efficient than Chrome, especially with its “Shields.”
But, how well it works for you can vary. It’s smart to keep an eye on the extensions you use and tweak your settings to make any browser work its best for you.
