The latest Steam Hardware and Software Survey for March 2025 reveals notable shifts in the gaming hardware landscape, highlighting AMD’s continued growth in CPU market share, NVIDIA’s dominance in the GPU sector, and Windows 11’s increasing adoption among gamers.
AMD’s Ascending CPU Market Share
AMD has achieved a record-high CPU market share among Steam users, reaching 38.73% in December 2024. This marks an increase of almost 5 percentage points over a single month, reflecting AMD’s growing appeal in the gaming community.
NVIDIA’s GPU Leadership and Emerging Trends
NVIDIA continues to lead the GPU market on Steam, with its GeForce RTX 3060 emerging as the most popular graphics card, accounting for 6.21% of the total share. This model’s popularity underscores the demand for high-performance GPUs capable of supporting modern gaming requirements.
Windows 11’s Growing Adoption
The survey indicates a significant shift in operating system preferences among gamers, with Windows 11 surpassing the 50% mark in August 2024, now standing at 50.81%. This milestone reflects the OS’s growing acceptance and the gaming community’s readiness to embrace newer technologies.
Implications for the Gaming Industry
These trends highlight a dynamic and evolving gaming hardware landscape. AMD’s increasing CPU market share suggests intensified competition with Intel, potentially leading to more innovation and better pricing for consumers. NVIDIA’s sustained GPU dominance emphasizes the importance of high-performance graphics in gaming, while the rise of Windows 11 indicates a shift towards newer operating systems optimized for modern gaming experiences.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, these developments offer valuable insights for gamers and industry stakeholders alike, pointing towards a future of enhanced performance, broader compatibility, and an ever-improving gaming experience.
