Most applications contain very little optimization for specific CPUs since the end user does not tend to have the knowledge necessary to discern whether or not their computer will support it. However, more advanced computers have the ability to run an optimized program faster than a standard build. During my Sophomore year I wanted to get some experience building and modifying a large project. So I took the time to build SSE3 optimized versions of the Firefox browser. The goal of was to make Firefox faster at starting up, and general use. This dose not affect Firefox's security as a browser, or the speed of your Internet connection.
The Firefox license prevents me from distributing an unofficial application with the name Firefox or the Firefox logo. For this reason the program's name is called "Minefeild" and the Icon says "Raff Fox" These are purely ascetic changes.
Any Intel based Macintosh will be able to run these applications, if you are not sure whether or not your PC supports SSE3, look at this list. Windows builds, due to the available free tools from Microsoft, are only SSE2. This means that most all computers will be able to run the Windows optimized build. Though, as I have learned from doing this work, the SSE instruction sets are meant for more mathematical and specialized programs, so they have a very minor impact on performance.
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