Valve‘s latest Steam hardware and software survey for May 2024 reveals intriguing trends among the platform’s user base. As PC gaming continues to evolve, users are increasingly embracing systems with higher RAM capacities and exploring alternative operating systems.
Surge in 32GB RAM Adoption
One of the most notable developments is the growing popularity of systems equipped with 32GB of RAM. While 16GB remains the most prevalent configuration among Steam users at 47.08%, the share of users with 32GB of RAM has seen a significant increase of 0.63 percentage points, reaching 28.72%. This shift suggests that a portion of Steam users have upgraded their PCs to accommodate more memory-intensive applications and games.
Linux Gains Traction
Alongside the RAM trend, the survey also highlights a steady rise in the adoption of Linux among Steam users. In May, the share of PCs running Linux operating systems increased from 1.9% to 2.32%, demonstrating the platform’s growing appeal to users seeking alternative operating environments.
GPU Landscape: NVIDIA Dominates
In the graphics department, NVIDIA continues to dominate the Steam user base. The GeForce RTX 3060 remains the most popular GPU, with a 6.01% share, followed closely by the GeForce GTX 1650 (4.38%) and the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti (3.73%). Notably, the recently released GeForce RTX 4070 has also gained traction, with its share increasing by 0.25 percentage points to 2.39%.
Windows Retains Dominance, macOS Gains Ground
While Windows remains the predominant operating system among Steam users, the survey reveals a shift in the distribution between Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows 10 is installed on 50.35% of PCs, while Windows 11 has seen a 0.93 percentage point increase, reaching 46.08%. Additionally, macOS Sonoma, Apple’s latest desktop operating system, has experienced a modest 0.12 percentage point growth, accounting for 1.47% of Steam users.As the gaming industry continues to evolve, these trends underscore the ever-changing hardware and software preferences of PC gamers. With the increasing demand for high-performance systems and the growing interest in alternative operating environments, the Steam platform remains a valuable barometer for tracking the evolving landscape of PC gaming.
