Liger Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 (edited) Speeding up Firefox the right way Speeding up Firefox seems to be a meme going around the blogsphere lately. Most of the tips I?ve seen, though, are only for broadband connections with the latest hardware and only include some of the settings that would affect performance. The Firefox Tweak Guide has the full details on how to speed up Firefox regardless of your connection or hardware, reprinted in part below. Don?t forget that the easiest way to tweak user files is with chromEdit extension. ---- Common to all configurations These are the settings that seem to be common to all configuration files regardless of connection speed or computer speed with a couple of additions - plugin paths can be found with about :plugins and the bookmark menu delay is turned off. user_pref("network.http.pipelining", true); user_pref("network.http.proxy.pipelining", true); user_pref("network.http.pipelining.maxrequests", 8); user_pref("content.notify.backoffcount", 5); user_pref("plugin.expose_full_path", true); user_pref("ui.submenuDelay", 0Fast Computer Fast Connection user_pref("content.interrupt.parsing", true); user_pref("content.max.tokenizing.time", 2250000); user_pref("content.notify.interval", 750000); user_pref("content.notify.ontimer", true); user_pref("content.switch.threshold", 750000); user_pref("nglayout.initialpaint.delay", 0); user_pref("network.http.max-connections", 48); user_pref("network.http.max-connections-per-server", 16); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-proxy", 16); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server", 8); user_pref("browser.cache.memory.capacity", 65536); A couple settings of note - Firefox is allocated 4096 KB of memory by default and in this configuration we give it roughly 65MB as denoted by the last line. This can be changed according to what is useFast Computer, Slower Connection This configuration is more suited to people without ultra fast connections. We are not talking about dial up connections but slower DSL / Cable connections. user_pref("content.max.tokenizing.time", 2250000); user_pref("content.notify.interval", 750000); user_pref("content.notify.ontimer", true); user_pref("content.switch.threshold", 750000); user_pref("network.http.max-connections", 48); user_pref("network.http.max-connections-per-server", 16); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-proxy", 16); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server", 8); user_pref("nglayout.initialpaint.delay", 0); user_pref("browser.cache.memory.capacity", 65536Fast Computer, Slow Connection user_pref("browser.xul.error_pages.enabled", true); user_pref("content.interrupt.parsing", true); user_pref("content.max.tokenizing.time", 3000000); user_pref("content.maxtextrun", 8191); user_pref("content.notify.interval", 750000); user_pref("content.notify.ontimer", true); user_pref("content.switch.threshold", 750000); user_pref("network.http.max-connections", 32); user_pref("network.http.max-connections-per-server", 8); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-proxy", 8); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server", 4); user_pref("nglayout.initialpaint.delay", 0); user_pref("browser.cache.memory.capacity", 65536Slow Computer, Fast Connection user_pref("content.max.tokenizing.time", 3000000); user_pref("content.notify.backoffcount", 5); user_pref("content.notify.interval", 1000000); user_pref("content.notify.ontimer", true); user_pref("content.switch.threshold", 1000000); user_pref("content.maxtextrun", 4095); user_pref("nglayout.initialpaint.delay", 1000); user_pref("network.http.max-connections", 48); user_pref("network.http.max-connections-per-server", 16); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-proxy", 16); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server", 8); user_pref("dom.disable_window_status_change", true); One of the changes made for this particular configuration is the final line where the status bar is disabled for changing web pages to save processor timSlow Computer, Slow Connection We have entered the doldrums of the dial-up user user_pref("content.max.tokenizing.time", 2250000); user_pref("content.notify.interval", 750000); user_pref("content.notify.ontimer", true); user_pref("content.switch.threshold", 750000); user_pref("nglayout.initialpaint.delay", 750); user_pref("network.http.max-connections", 32); user_pref("network.http.max-connections-per-server", 8); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-proxy", 8); user_pref("network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server", 4); user_pref("dom.disable_window_status_change", true); ______________________________ Note : A fast connection is anything above DSL or even DSL included. A slow connection is 56K. A fast PC is anything more than 1.6 GHz A slow PC is anything less than 1.6GHz Thats all. Edited March 21, 2005 by Liger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThunderRiver Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Is there any reasons why they did not make it so by default? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaLiVa Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Is there any reasons why they did not make it so by default? 585421505[/snapback] So that you can get your hands dirty and tweak it yourself! Thanks for the guide, though I think I'll stick to the basic tweak settings, this is too much work for my hearts concern :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiquidGUI Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 Fantastic guide Liger, very useful, nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhav Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 user_pref("network.http.pipelining.maxrequests", 8); 585421494[/snapback] anyone that uses this part...and the rest of the guide, should NOT be allowed to browse the net. this alteration in particular hammers servers...why the hell do you need to open 8 connections to the same server??? i think there was a explanation by the mozilla team for why these (stupid) settings are not default. something along the lines of...although parts of the page may load quicker, the overall time to load the whole page often takes longer. pray that they never make these settings default. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrA Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 anyone that uses this part...and the rest of the guide, should NOT be allowed to browse the net.this alteration in particular hammers servers...why the hell do you need to open 8 connections to the same server??? i think there was a explanation by the mozilla team for why these (stupid) settings are not default. something along the lines of...although parts of the page may load quicker, the overall time to load the whole page often takes longer. pray that they never make these settings default. 585422535[/snapback] Um... What the hell? The point of piplining is not to open many connections to a single server, but to shove many requests though a single connection. Ususally, you can only make one connection at a time though a single connection. Therefore, you'd have to open many connection at once to download a single page w/graphics. If you don't, you'll have to wait for one request to finish before starting another. The problem with pipelining is that some server don't support it (pre HTTP/1.1). Also, it will hammer servers because many requests are comming through at the same time through each pipe. It should be noted that a limit of 8 requests per pipe is hardcoded into mozilla (unless you remove the limit and recompile). I use firefox with this limit removed, but I keep max-requests to 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L0u1s Posted February 6, 2005 Share Posted February 6, 2005 (edited) Well I've posted yesterday that it was working fine, but today it's again slow as normal... I've checked if the boxes where filled in with the correct numbers (it was correct) So do you guys know what the problem is ? thx alot !!! Edit: urm crap I've posted this in the wrong topic... Sorry about this post (delete it plz) Edited February 6, 2005 by Musachi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liger Posted February 6, 2005 Author Share Posted February 6, 2005 Well I've posted yesterday that it was working fine, but today it's again slow as normal...I've checked if the boxes where filled in with the correct numbers (it was correct) So do you guys know what the problem is ? thx alot !!! Edit: urm crap I've posted this in the wrong topic... Sorry about this post (delete it plz) 585423837[/snapback] :blink: :laugh: Dont worry I did that once too :p Bhav - Take it easy! Noone compelled you to do it :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasabi Posted February 7, 2005 Share Posted February 7, 2005 May i please have a definition of what exactly is a "fast" and "slow" computer/connection? (in my eyes i maybe fast but to others its super slow....thats why i never understood this chart) i have: PC : 2ghzP4,256ram,32atimobile Web :just did a test (have seen slightly higher results) 555 / 228 Your download speed : 569053 bps, or 555 kbps. A 69.4 KB/sec transfer rate. Your upload speed : 233890 bps, or 228 kbps. which one of the firefox tweaks should i use? thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liger Posted February 7, 2005 Author Share Posted February 7, 2005 May i please have a definition of what exactly is a "fast" and "slow" computer/connection?(in my eyes i maybe fast but to others its super slow....thats why i never understood this chart) i have: PC : 2ghzP4,256ram,32atimobile Web :just did a test (have seen slightly higher results) 555 / 228 Your download speed : 569053 bps, or 555 kbps. A 69.4 KB/sec transfer rate. Your upload speed : 233890 bps, or 228 kbps. which one of the firefox tweaks should i use? thank you 585428323[/snapback] A fast connection is anything above DSL or even DSL included. A slow connection is 56K. A fast PC is anything more than 1.6 GHz A slow PC is anything less than 1.6GHz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasabi Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 thank you for explaining Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AppleDave Veteran Posted February 8, 2005 Veteran Share Posted February 8, 2005 Great Guide Liger thanks a lot, I can already see some difference in my already blazing fast Firefox speed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
905punk Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 would this be considered a fast connection :p 2005-02-08 12:46:19 EST: 5117 / 579 Your download speed : 5240028 bps, or 5117 kbps. A 639.6 KB/sec transfer rate. Your upload speed : 593471 bps, or 579 kbps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddcrap Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 Now, only if this was possible in IE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimRogers Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 I'll have a go with this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary King Posted February 18, 2005 Share Posted February 18, 2005 What's wrong with pipelining? So, aye or nay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrisCr0ss Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 thanks alot it wrkd nicely remeber you must use crhome edit after restarting firefox go to tools>edit user>user.js and then paste your config click save and restart firefox Thanks again, with the other tweaks it worked great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuarterSwede Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Or you can just use about:config and filter to change the settings. Restart Firefox and you're good to go. Funny thing is, after I changed my settings it was blazing fast but after a day of use it was back to being the regular speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pestul Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Does the increased memory cache really have that much of an impact? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWebJunkie Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Thanks for this guide i will be boosting the speed of my firefox :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kars85 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 user_pref("content.notify.backoffcount", 5); user_pref("content.interrupt.parsing", true); user_pref("content.max.tokenizing.time", 2250000); user_pref("content.notify.interval", 750000); user_pref("content.notify.ontimer", true); user_pref("content.switch.threshold", 750000); -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- can't find the "content" one's in the chromedit or about:config settings...where are they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aman01 Posted March 2, 2005 Share Posted March 2, 2005 I found this guide at others forum. Where you get this guide or you got this guide from that Lowyat forum? This speeding up Firefox technique has already been seen at least 4 month ago. You steal this guide from MozillaZine. This is the address: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.ph...page=15&start=0 and this is Lowyat.net forum thread about this same speed tweak http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=82701 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron2000 Posted March 6, 2005 Share Posted March 6, 2005 If Neowin is so pro-Firefox maybe there can be a Firefox Guides subforum. And all the Firefox guides will be moved in. :p By the way, I've been to Lowyat too. Sort of gives a Neowin feel as most Neowin threads show up there too.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsinho Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 good job dude thanks a lot (Y) (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLaren_F1 Posted March 8, 2005 Share Posted March 8, 2005 Yeah Nice Guide. Using the fast computer and fast internet connection :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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