Google disables Segment Heap feature on Chrome 85 due to performance issues

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The Segment Heap feature, originally used to reduce Chrome's RAM consumption on Windows 10, has been disabled by Google due to performance issues after additional testing.

With the release of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Microsoft introduced several improvements in memory usage on Edge through enhancements to the Segment Heap feature in the operating system. This feature helps improve memory usage of Win32 applications and promises up to 27% improvement on Edge. It has also been utilized for the open-source Chromium project and deployed in the Chrome browser for testing last month.

Disabling Segment Heap on Google Chrome 85 due to performance issues

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However, experiments have shown that memory performance improvements adversely affect CPU usage, with changes resulting in a 10% to 13% CPU performance decrease. The Chrome team began tracking the issue earlier this month and has now decided to disable the Segment Heap feature in the browser by default (discovered by Techdows).

The Chrome team conducted tests on Chrome beta version 84.0.4147.85 running on the latest Windows 10 build 19041.329 and found that average CPU usage increased by 9.3%. Tests also indicate a higher impact on higher-core machines. Feedback from Microsoft acknowledges that their own tests also show performance differences in CPU.

Google plans to review remote data from Chrome versions 84 and 85 running on the latest Windows 10 builds, along with Chrome version 85 running on older OS versions. The search giant has added the default option to disable the feature to provide additional data on performance differences, and the company plans to reconsider this feature later. Google adds: 'such CPU usage (10% slower on Speedometer 2.0, 13% increase in CPU/energy consumption) is too high for us to keep this feature.'

=> Check out How to Prevent Chrome Browser from Using Too Much RAM here.

It would be intriguing to see how this feature affects Microsoft's Chromium-based Edge browser. The company has not provided any information on the impact of the Segment Heap improvement on CPU performance. Redmond giant has temporarily halted the release of Edge Dev and Beta to align with Chromium's release schedule.

Microsoft has always been trying to introduce and expand its user base using its Bing search engine but hasn't garnered much attention. In a recent effort, Microsoft stealthily integrates Bing search tool into Android through Outlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Segment Heap feature in Chrome?

The Segment Heap feature was introduced to reduce Chrome's RAM consumption on Windows 10. It aims to improve memory usage for Win32 applications, promising significant enhancements, particularly for the Edge browser.

Why did Google disable the Segment Heap feature in Chrome 85?

Google disabled the Segment Heap feature in Chrome 85 due to performance issues, including a notable increase in CPU usage by 9.3%. The decision was based on feedback and tests indicating that CPU performance decreased by 10% to 13%.

How does the Segment Heap feature affect CPU performance on Chrome?

The Segment Heap feature adversely affects CPU performance on Chrome by increasing CPU usage significantly, leading to an overall reduction in performance for users, particularly on systems with higher core counts.

What improvements were made to Edge with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update?

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update introduced several memory usage improvements in Edge through enhancements to the Segment Heap feature, allowing for a potential improvement of up to 27% in memory performance for Edge users.

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