Google Chrome Uses Graphics Card to Accelerate SVG, CSS

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Google has just added a new flag in its Chromium 18 builds that extends the browser's hardware acceleration feature.

Vector-based SVG graphics as well as CSS filters are now accelerated via the GPU and can be activated via chrome://flags in a recent nightly build. The feature is mainly for developers as there are very few websites that could take advantage of accelerated CSS filters.

IE9 was the first browser that introduced SVG acceleration with the first platform preview of IE9 in March of last year.

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Wolfgang Gruener
Wolfgang Gruener
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Wolfgang Gruener is an experienced professional in digital strategy and content, specializing in web strategy, content architecture, user experience, and applying AI in content operations within the insurtech industry. His previous roles include Director, Digital Strategy and Content Experience at American Eagle, Managing Editor at TG Daily, and contributing to publications like Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware.

21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • kancaras
    gpu accelerated software doesnt always work. if you already have cpu that doest everything in few ms, extra ms to load cross-platform drivers ruins whole thing.
    Reply
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    Meanwhile, I still don't care, since the web isn't consumptive enough to even bother my CPU a little... :D
    Reply
  • marraco
    Check it here:
    http://webglsamples.googlecode.com/hg/aquarium/aquarium.html
    Reply
  • sixdegree
    Great, now i can run Tomshardware on Ultra @ 1080p / 60fps.
    Reply
  • nebun
    lol....for once google is a follower...go Microsoft
    Reply
  • kaisellgren
    amk-aka-phantomMeanwhile, I still don't care, since the web isn't consumptive enough to even bother my CPU a little...I do. Let this page load fully, then try scrolling around in Chrome: http://eee.asus.com/eeepad/transformer-prime/features/

    You will notice it lags (at least on my 4 GHz quad core), but in Firefox and IE it's fine, thanks to their GPU acceleration.
    Reply
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    I have GPU acceleration disabled in FF and it does not lag. Sure lags on my netbook, though :D: Whoever said that netbooks don't need more CPU power is an idiot...
    Reply
  • jojesa
    kaisellgrenI do. Let this page load fully, then try scrolling around in Chrome: http://eee.asus.com/eeepad/transformer-prime/features/You will notice it lags (at least on my 4 GHz quad core), but in Firefox and IE it's fine, thanks to their GPU acceleration.Who knew you will need some GPU juice just to browse a webpage...you were right page lags on Chrome but it does not in IE or FF.
    Reply
  • sissysue
    amk-aka-phantomMeanwhile, I still don't care, since the web isn't consumptive enough to even bother my CPU a little...Google (in bed with Obama and the fascist left) along with other hidden powers (FEDS) plan on all of us using low power dumb terminal laptops/desktops and store all our files in the cloud so they have access to it. So this technology is being built for the future Amerika police state.
    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    Will Tomshardware use the gpu accelerated CSS and SVG on its pages?
    Reply