Steam's September 2025 Hardware Survey: Key Shifts in GPUs, VRAM, OS, and CPUs

The Steam Hardware Survey for September 2025 paints a clear picture of how gamers' rigs are evolving. Released at the start of October, this monthly snapshot from Valve highlights trends across graphics cards, memory configurations, operating systems, and processors. With NVIDIA's RTX 50-series cards making waves and a noticeable pivot away from 8 GB GPUs, the data underscores a maturing PC gaming landscape. Let's break down the highlights.

NVIDIA's RTX 50-Series Gains Traction, But Laptops Still Lead

NVIDIA continues its iron grip on the Steam GPU rankings, with laptop variants proving especially dominant. The GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU holds the top spot, climbing from 4.62 percent to 4.84 percent of the user base. This modest but steady rise reflects the growing popularity of portable gaming setups.

Hot on its heels, the RTX 50-series is surging forward. The RTX 5070 leads the pack among these newcomers at 1.69 percent market share, followed by the RTX 5060 at 1.13 percent, the RTX 5070 Ti at 0.91 percent, and the RTX 5060 Ti at 0.89 percent. While Valve does not break down variants for the 5060 Ti, the 16 GB model likely contributes to its appeal, given the demand for higher VRAM in modern titles.

The RTX 5080 is also picking up steam, and even the flagship RTX 5090 notched a small 0.05 percent increase month over month. On the laptop front, the RTX 5060 Laptop GPU is rising fast and could challenge the 4060's throne before long. That said, reaching over 4 percent share will require time and broader availability.

These shifts come as no surprise. The RTX 50-series, launched earlier this year, emphasizes efficiency and AI features, drawing in upgraders tired of older 20- and 30-series cards. Yet, the enduring strength of laptop GPUs signals that mobility remains a priority for many Steam users.

8 GB VRAM on the Decline: Gamers Eye 16 GB Options

One of the survey's most telling trends is the fading dominance of 8 GB GPUs. This configuration, long the go-to for midrange builds, dropped 1.37 percent to 33.66 percent of the total. It still commands the largest slice, but the writing is on the wall.

Stepping up to fill the gap are 16 GB cards, which saw the biggest jump at 0.72 percent, now holding 7.52 percent. Configurations with 12 GB VRAM are also in the mix, though fewer models exist compared to 16 GB offerings from NVIDIA and AMD. This migration aligns with the VRAM hunger of recent games like Black Myth: Wukong and Star Wars Outlaws, where 8 GB often leads to stuttering at higher resolutions.

Manufacturers take note: gamers are voting with their wallets for more memory. As ray tracing and 4K become mainstream, expect 16 GB to accelerate past 8 GB in the coming months.

Windows 11 Pulls Ahead as Windows 10's End Looms

Operating system adoption tells a story of transition. With Windows 10's support ending on October 14, 2025, users are jumping ship in droves. Windows 11 now sits at 66.08 percent, up a robust 2.90 percent from August.

This surge makes sense. Microsoft's free upgrade path, combined with better hardware compatibility for newer CPUs, has eased the shift. Windows 10, once over 50 percent, is now a shrinking minority. For developers, this means focusing resources on Windows 11 features like DirectStorage and Auto HDR.

8-Core CPUs Climb, 6-Cores Slip Below 30 Percent

Processor trends favor more cores. 8-core CPUs have reached 25.28 percent market share, gaining 0.87 percent last month. They are poised to overtake the long-reigning 6-core models, which dipped below 30 percent for the first time.

Higher-end options are thriving too, with 16-core CPUs among the top gainers. This reflects the rise of hybrid architectures in chips like AMD's Ryzen 9000 series and Intel's Core Ultra lineup, which blend performance and efficiency cores for multitasking and gaming.

6-core setups, staples of budget builds, are losing ground as prices drop on 8-core alternatives. For gamers balancing workloads like streaming or content creation, the extra threads offer tangible benefits without breaking the bank.

What It All Means for PC Gamers

Steam's September 2025 survey captures a hardware ecosystem in flux: NVIDIA's lead is unchallenged, but adoption of higher VRAM and core counts points to demands for future-proofing. As Windows 11 becomes the norm, expect smoother experiences in titles leveraging its tech stack.

If you're building or upgrading, prioritize 16 GB GPUs and 8-plus core CPUs. The RTX 50-series looks like a smart bet for longevity, especially with laptop options bridging the gap for on-the-go play.