Recently I came across a relatively new browser (originally created in 2019), or more like a special version of the main Opera browser called Opera GX.
It boasts that it’s a “gamer’s browser,” and while that’s obviously an exaggeration, it has many features that gamers will benefit from. Not to mention that the interface alone is very similar to anything you’d find in Cyberpunk 2077.
From controlling how much any given resource site can use, to its built-in ad blocker, to its tight integration with Discord, YouTube Music, and more directly through the browser interface, there are almost endless ways users can enhance their interest in Opera GX experience. You can even customize the browser background and music.
With such a wide range of options and enhancements, everyone, especially gamers who Opera is clearly targeting, should give Opera GX a try.After all, if a staunch supporter Firefox browser You can be as impressed as I am, then you may find yourself just as pleasantly surprised as I am.
GX control
One of Opera GX’s main features is the CPU, RAM, Network Limiter, and Hot Tab Killer, which allow the user to control how many of these resources are affected by the browser, and even let you automatically close specific tabs that take up too much of these values. It’s a simple set of features that provide dedicated control over your internet experience that you can’t even get from the best Google Chrome extensions, at least not easily.
Being able to set this limit on browsers is critical as they can quickly start consuming a lot of system resources. Opera GX’s limiter has a soft-hard toggle option, with a soft option meaning there’s some wiggle room within your set limit, and a hard edge meaning the tabs are discarded once you hit your set limit.
This is gamers with browsers open in the background who may switch to walkthroughs, guides, or any number of game-related topics. Gamers can greatly benefit from preventing the browser from affecting game performance. If you’re a gamer and find that keeping Google Chrome open in the background slows down your frame rate, Opera GX may be the solution you never knew you needed.
GX Cleaner
Most browsers have options to clear caches, cookies, and other “pillows” that have built up over time, but these tend to be buried deep in the options menu and aren’t particularly user-friendly. However, Opera GX has front and center functionality in its sidebar, where GX Control and social media integrations are also present.
You just click the icon and choose between three options that control what needs to be cleaned up, or customize it yourself, including the age of those files you don’t want. It’s a great tool that makes browser cleanup a lot easier, especially since it can have a huge impact on how fast a browser runs and how much memory it takes up.
Built-in AdBlock and VPN
Internet privacy is becoming more and more important in our lives as it becomes harder to enforce. While Opera GX runs on Chromium and is not a top privacy mainstream browser (That would be Mozilla Firefox), which still offers a wide variety of tools that you can use to customize your privacy experience.
VPN and AdBlock are built into the browser, and you can turn them on and off via the sidebar menu, as well as customize which websites are exceptions to these tools. Try them out, they all work pretty well, blocking some of the biggest online trackers while allowing you to choose the region where your IP address is registered.
Of course, it’s not perfect, as both VPNs and AdBlock can interfere with websites and other GX features, but the fact that they are fully integrated and – in the case of VPNs – completely free is an absolute boon.
You also have the option to download your own tools, such as uBlock Origins, and many other plugins and extensions that protect your privacy. While these options aren’t as powerful as Firefox’s offerings, it’s still a healthy amount that allows you to better customize your experience.
The aforementioned sidebar has some impressive integrations built into it, such as instant access to tons of websites like Twitch, Discord, Twitter, various messenger apps, Instagram, and more.
There’s also a similarly functional music player that allows you to play music from sites like YouTube Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Soundcloud, Tidal, and Spotify directly from your browser.
In any of these cases, you may use these sites by watching, listening or viewing the content on them while using your main browser. And none of these use extra tabs, which frees up resources. As I write this, I’m using the YouTube music player to listen to video game music playlists while I type, and it works great.
Other cool features
There are some other great features that allow you to scale Opera GX to your exact visual and audio specifications.
For example, you can open RGB lighting Make your browser your own with Razer Chroma, Logitech G Lightsync RGB and Corsair iCue, and choose from a ton of user-made backgrounds (including animated ones!). You can also set sound effects for typing and select background music to play while browsing.
You can organize tabs into groups or workspaces, which is especially handy for tabs you might need to keep open and track over time, such as work or school assignments. There’s also Opera Flow, which syncs content between the Opera GX desktop browser and mobile versions. It’s essentially an instant messenger that lets you share links, files or texts between your PC and your phone.
All in all, Opera GX is a browser that doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it’s probably the best web browser for gamers, and if you’re not ready to ditch Chromium, it could be a great alternative to Google Chrome — Browser based.