The BIG browser benchmark (January 2013 edition)

It has only been a couple of months since the last Big Browser Benchmark but there has been enough changes to warrant a re-running the tests. There's also a new benchmark test to put the browsers through their paces.

Let's pit the leading browsers against four of the toughest benchmark tests available to see which one is triumphant. Here are the browsers that will be put through their paces:

•Chrome 24
•Chrome 23 (left in the listing for comparison with newer release)
•Firefox 18
•Firefox 16 (left in the listing for comparison with newer release)
•Opera 12
•Internet Explorer 9 (32-bit)
•Internet Explorer 10 (32-bit)
•Safari 5

Here are the tests that the browsers will face:

•SunSpider JavaScript 0.9.1: A JavaScript benchmark developed by Apple's WebKit team in 2007 with a focus on real-world problem solving;
•V8 Benchmark Suite: A pure JavaScript benchmark used by Google to tune the V8 JavaScript engine;
•Peacekeeper: FutureMark's JavaScript test which stress-tests features such as animation, navigation, forms and other commonly utilized tasks;
•Kraken 1.0: Another JavaScript benchmark developed by Mozilla. This is based on SunSpider but features crucial benchmarking enhancements;
•RoboHornet: A Google-led open-source browser benchmark.
•Octane: Google's new benchmark, based on the V8 test suite.

All testing carried out on a Windows 7 (32-bit) machine, running a P8600 2.4GHz dual-core processor, 4GB RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics card.

Read more at source:
The BIG browser benchmark (January 2013 edition) | ZDNet
 
Great read, my first assumption of a winner was Chrome, glad to see it lives up to expectations.
 

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Only reason I do not use Chrome on my tablet is the problems with touch. Firefox beats them hands down on that, IE10 falls by the wayside as not all sites are compatible.
 

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    Bitdefender
I've never really found there to be noticeable performance differences between the various different browsers. I like Chrome because it's available on multiple platforms and I love the sync option.
 

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    Windows 7
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    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I've tried most browsers, and avoided IE6 and IE7 altogether, by using Firefox. I still use FF as my 'secondary' browser, but in MY opinion, IE10 wins hands-down. I tried Chrome a couple of times, but disliked it. I think most of the mis-informed hate on IE is due to IE6 and 7 being so pathetic, security-wise. That is no longer the case.
Wenda.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
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    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
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    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
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    Acer
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    8GB@1366Mhz.
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    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
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    Built-in. Non-touch.
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    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
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    Stock.
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    Laptop.
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    Stock.
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    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
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    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
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    BD-ROM drive.
I've never really understood the value of browser speed tests; they are like Olympic events, so what if one swimmer is 1/100th of a second faster than anyone else, you can't measure that with the human eye.
 

My Computer

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    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Website "Designers" will add more bloat

I've tried most browsers, and avoided IE6 and IE7 altogether, by using Firefox. I still use FF as my 'secondary' browser, but in MY opinion, IE10 wins hands-down. I tried Chrome a couple of times, but disliked it. I think most of the mis-informed hate on IE is due to IE6 and 7 being so pathetic, security-wise. That is no longer the case.
Wenda.

IE9 & IE10 are basically uncustomisable.
I haven't used Chrome much, but I get the impression that you can't really customise it either (I don't like Google much either).

Opera seems to be OK.
I don't think that it is as customisable as FF (more accurately, I couldn't figure out how to set it up like my FF setup).

FF (desktop version) is the only browser that lets me customise things my way (mostly).
I also run NoScript, so that I can control all of the wretched Flash and JavaScript annoyances.

The problem with these speed tests is that website "designers" will use them to justify adding more bloat, thus counteracting the improvements made to the browsers (by their creators: MS, Google, Mozilla, Opera, etc.). :mad:
 

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    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
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    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Good to know IE 10 is doing swell. I choose IE over chrome EVERY DAY due to some questionable privacy concerns, phishing/malware problems I've seen with chrome usage and in actual testing, and it's not considerably faster than IE 10. A second or three faster of page load time or YouTube buffering doesn't justify having to deal with serious malware. This is something I've seen first hand with some people...

And IE has decent sync features through the use of a Microsoft account on the one and only Windows 8. On the Desktop, your Favorites will sync over. With the immersive IE, your Favorites and IE Start Screen pins sync over. SUPER handy when your hard drive expires....
 

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    ASUS
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    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
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    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
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    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
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    OCZ 500 watt
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
And my experience with malware has always been with IE 6, 7 and 8. I've never had a problem with chrome in the few years that I have run it. That's my personal take on it.
 

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    Windows 7
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    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
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    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
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    23" Acer x233H
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    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
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    Antec P182
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
IE 9 and 10 don't have those issues, but earlier versions of IE are used on xp, like IE 8. xp is already sucky with security. Seriously, if Windows xp would have had a password, it would had been password! Then put an iffy OS with awful security with and older browser, BOOM! Malware!
 

My Computer

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    ASUS
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    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
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    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Yep, but I haven't seen they problems you have had with chrome. It's been rock solid stable for me, cross platform support and an awesome sync system that works absolutely beautifully. I would be lost without my shared and synced bookmarks in every computer at home and at work.
 

My Computer

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    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
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    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I've seen the malware issue with chrome on some Windows 7 PCs. The default browser was chrome. Anti-virus was either non-existent, not updated/trialware, or was disabled by the malware. And the thing is though, most of the browsing was normal stuff. I figure some incognito (I'm looking at porno) tabs probably did though.

Oddly enough, a Windows 7 PC with IE 9 as default with the same lack of anti-malware protection and some questionable browsing never afflicted those systems too badly...
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Oh well, it's all a matter of using whichever browser works the best for you. All 3 of the very popular browsers are solid products at this point. It's just the little things that set them apart for one person or another.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
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    Corsair 620HX modular
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    Antec P182
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    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
IE 9 and 10 don't have those issues, but earlier versions of IE are used on xp, like IE 8. xp is already sucky with security. Seriously, if Windows xp would have had a password, it would had been password! Then put an iffy OS with awful security with and older browser, BOOM! Malware!

I've used every version of IE (and nothing else) since it came out in whatever version of Windows and I've never had any malware (that I can remember). In fact, the only malware that I can remember having is with Windows 7 and IE9, and that was a Google redirect one, caused by me for setting the UAC too low at one time.
 

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Well, that's very bad benchmark :D Cause my personal experience says differently, real world performance is very different thing than some benchmarks.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    ljkhlj
Take chrome over anything MS push's out for speed and safety.

Pass.
I'm remaining with IE/FF. Tried Chrome, disliked it.
Wasn't exactly overwhelmed with Safari or Opera, either.
Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
Take chrome over anything MS push's out for speed and safety.

Pass.
I'm remaining with IE/FF. Tried Chrome, disliked it.
Wasn't exactly overwhelmed with Safari or Opera, either.
Wenda.

I don't think they were suggesting that you should change. It is a personal choice. I wasn't a chrome fan either until I discovered how much I personally loved the sync features between work and home computers. I was sold.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I have been using IE10 for a long time but I 'm impressed with Safari, it's quite fast, the fonts look nice. I might try it for a while and see how it performs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire E1-571
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer Type-2
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 4000
    Sound Card
    High Definiton Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256GB
    PSU
    Generic
    Keyboard
    QWERTY
    Mouse
    ELANTECH Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    12.68Mbps
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I've tried all of the mainstream browsers and I've settled on Chrome as it's the most compatible with the sites I frequent and it's very fast and stable on Win7 and Win8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
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