We've previously shown you how to move your Firefox cache to system memory, but a dedicated RAM disk might be a better solution for serious browsing speed. The Hack a Day blog points out the how-tos for Mac and Linux.


If you've got a solid-state drive (SSD), you'll definitely want to create a RAM disk—a section of system memory that's used like a small hard drive, just faster—rather than your SSD to reduce wear. That previous post covered a Windows method of creating a RAM disk, but there are means for Mac and Linux, too. They're not for those looking to lightly twiddle with some settings—you have to follow step by step, or possibly bring down your browser. But for those willing to tweak, it may be a nice performance boost.


Hack a Day points to Esperance DV (CNET link, as the original seems down) for creating a System Preference on a Mac to create a RAM disk, and a batch of Terminal commands at Linux Readers blog for getting the job done on Linux.

There are potential downsides to moving your cache, as noted by the Mozilla makers of Firefox. But if you're willing to trade a slower start-up for a faster page-to-page operation, you can give both Firefox and Chrome a boost in Mac and Linux with these tips.

Speed up Web Browsing in Linux [Hack a Day]