Valve has published its latest Steam Hardware & Software Survey, and it gives a clear picture of what PC gamers are actually using in 2026. The data shows that Windows 11 is now the default choice for most gamers on Steam.
As of early May 2026, Windows 11 powers 67.74 percent of systems on Steam. That is a steady increase and shows that gamers are finally moving on from older versions. Windows 10 is now far behind at 25.63 percent. Older systems like Windows 7 still exist, but their share is almost gone at just 0.07 percent.
Windows continues to dominate gaming, and it holds a massive 93.47 percent share on Steam. Other platforms are still far behind. Linux stands at 4.52 percent, while macOS is at 2.01 percent.
The survey also shows that most gamers are not using high-end hardware. Most systems are still powered by Intel processors, with a 54.81 percent share. AMD is close behind at 45.19 percent. The most common CPU setup is a 6-core processor, which tells us that mid-range builds are still the sweet spot for most gamers.
When it comes to memory, 16 GB RAM is the standard. Around 40.86 percent of users are running this setup. It is enough for modern gaming, and most players do not feel the need to upgrade beyond this.
Graphics cards show a similar pattern. NVIDIA dominates with a huge 73.21 percent share. AMD and Intel are far behind. The most popular GPU is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, followed by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. Even newer cards like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 are starting to show up, but they are not yet mainstream.
VRAM usage also confirms the same story. The most common setup is 8 GB VRAM, which is enough for most modern titles at 1080p.
This clearly shows that most gamers are not chasing flagship GPUs. They prefer value-for-money cards that can handle modern games without costing too much.
The classic Full HD resolution is still used by most gamers. Higher resolutions are growing, but slowly. Around 52 percent of gamers use 1920×1080.
The data confirms that majority of gamers are still using balanced systems. It shows that you do not need to go extreme. A setup with 16 GB RAM, a 6-core CPU, and something like an RTX 3060 or similar still puts you right in line with most gamers. Even today, this kind of build can handle almost every modern game at 1080p without issues.
Also see
- Most Watched Games Today
- Most Watched Games This Week
- Most Watched Games This Month
- Most Played Steam Games Today
- Steam Weekly Player Stats
- Steam Monthly Player Rankings
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