This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

How does the content process limit affects performance?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by nocibambi

nocibambi
nocibambi
more options

I am trying to solve a long term 'Web Content uses too much CPU and slows down the computer' issue and for that I have just read through some support articles including https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/performance-settings.

Now, it states: "having too many content processes can slow down your computer, and consequently, Firefox". By default I read this as a cpu issue.

On the other hand, it also states: "Additional content processes can improve performance when using multiple tabs, but will also use more memory. "

So my question is, does a high content process limit can also lead to high cpu usage or only to high memory usage?

I am trying to solve a long term 'Web Content uses too much CPU and slows down the computer' issue and for that I have just read through some support articles including https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/performance-settings. Now, it states: "having too many content processes can slow down your computer, and consequently, Firefox". By default I read this as a cpu issue. On the other hand, it also states: "Additional content processes can improve performance when using multiple tabs, but will also use more memory. " So my question is, does a high content process limit can also lead to high cpu usage or only to high memory usage?

Chosen solution

When the number of content processes is higher than the number of CPU cores on the specific machine, it will lead to high and inefficient CPU usage.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

TyDraniu
TyDraniu
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

When the number of content processes is higher than the number of CPU cores on the specific machine, it will lead to high and inefficient CPU usage.

nocibambi
nocibambi Question owner
more options

TyDraniu said

When the number of content processes is higher than the number of CPU cores on the specific machine, it will lead to high and inefficient CPU usage.

This is actually quite useful to know.

So I suppose this also means that the default setting ('4') puts an extra strain on older computers (which, of course, are already slower).

Thank you!

Modified by nocibambi