The latest Steam survey results for December have highlighted a remarkable shift in hardware preferences among participants, particularly noting AMD’s soaring success in the CPU market throughout 2024. AMD achieved an unprecedented 38.7% share in CPU usage among Windows participants, marking a significant leap of 3.02% from the previous month. This milestone underscores AMD’s dynamic performance and signals a shift in the competitive landscape, where Intel’s dominance has shown signs of waning. Factors contributing to this shift include the launch of AMD’s Zen 5 series, a line of processors that, while not groundbreaking, managed to capture the market’s favor more than Intel’s Arrow Lake Core Ultra Series 2. The introduction of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D chip, heralded as “The New Gaming CPU King,” further compounded AMD’s momentum. Meanwhile, Intel faced setbacks due to instability issues plaguing its 13th and 14th-generation processors, contributing to their declining share.
AMD’s Resurgence in the CPU Market
The Zen 5 series, although not a revolutionary upgrade, performed impressively well, receiving a better reception compared to Intel’s offerings. Enthusiasts and gamers opted for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which outperformed many of its competitors in gaming benchmarks, earning the title of “The New Gaming CPU King.” This chip particularly captivated the gaming community, offering superior performance and value. Moreover, the consistent performance delivery and reliable architecture built on the successes of previous Ryzen models helped AMD steadily increase its market share. In contrast, Intel’s Arrow Lake Core Ultra Series 2, which was expected to be a formidable contender, fell short in gaining the same level of consumer enthusiasm. Issues with instability in Intel’s 13th and 14th-generation processors further exacerbated their struggles, causing consumers to lean towards AMD’s offerings.
Intel’s difficulties provided an opening for AMD, which leveraged its strong product lineup to attract both new users and long-time Intel loyalists. Market analysts noted that AMD’s strategic pricing, combined with significant technological advancements, played a crucial role in swaying the market. This high adoption rate in the Steam community may reflect broader consumer trends, positioning AMD as the new leader in the CPU segment. The success story of AMD in 2024 is a testament to its resilient innovation and consumer-focused approach, setting the stage for continued growth and perhaps even greater gains in the near future. The next steps for both companies include addressing their weaknesses and pushing forward with new technological advances, keeping the competition fierce and exciting.
Nvidia’s Stronghold in the GPU Market
Meanwhile, the GPU market saw notable changes too, with Nvidia maintaining its stronghold, particularly with its RTX 40 and 30 series. The xx60 and xx70 models, especially the RTX 4060, emerged as the most significant gainers in December. These models, known for their high performance and efficient power usage, captivated many gamers and professionals alike. Interestingly, the older GTX 1650 also showed a surprising resurgence, becoming the fourth most popular card of the month. Such patterns indicate a broad spectrum of preferences among users, where both new and older models continue to find relevance in the market. The RTX 4060’s impressive capabilities elevated it above its counterparts, leading to notable market gains.
AMD’s highest-ranking GPU, the Radeon RX 6600, managed to secure only the 27th position in the survey. This highlights the challenges AMD faces in establishing a foothold within the GPU segment. Despite Nvidia’s dominance, AMD’s Radeon series continues to be a competitive force, although it significantly lags behind in market share. The RTX 3060 maintained its position as the most popular GPU among survey participants, underscoring the preference for mid-range Ampere and Lovelace GPUs. The continual popularity of older models like the GTX 1650 and GTX 2060 demonstrates consumer dependence on affordable and durable performance, factors that Nvidia seems to have mastered well.
Trends in Operating Systems and RAM Configurations
On the operating systems front, Windows 11 has continued to gain favor among Steam users, reaching an impressive 55% share, a 2% increase from previous counts. This gain comes at the expense of Windows 10, which saw its usage drop to 42.3%. The trend towards Windows 11 can be attributed to its modern features and enhanced user experience, aligning with gamers’ and developers’ demands. Despite the decline in usage among Steam participants, Windows 10’s global market share has seen an increase to 62.7%, while Windows 11’s share globally fell to 34.1%. This divergence indicates a shift within the gaming community towards newer software, which may not necessarily be mirrored by the broader consumer base.
In terms of RAM configurations, 16GB remains the most common amount among participants; however, its lead is gradually diminishing. More users are adopting 32GB configurations, reflecting the growing demands for higher RAM amounts for modern applications and gaming experiences. The growth in VRAM categorizations further underscores this trend, with users opting for more capable hardware to keep up with increasing software requirements. Despite advances in monitor technology and a rise in higher-resolution displays, 1080p continues to be the dominant resolution among Steam users at 56.1%, with 1440p following at 19.5%. This preference for 1080p suggests a balance between performance and visual quality that many gamers find optimal.
Language and Storage Preferences
The GPU market has experienced interesting shifts, with Nvidia continuing to dominate thanks to its RTX 40 and 30 series. The xx60 and xx70 models, notably the RTX 4060, were the standout performers in December. These cards are celebrated for their high performance and efficient power consumption, drawing the attention of gamers and professionals. Surprisingly, the older GTX 1650 made a comeback, ranking as the fourth most popular GPU of the month. This trend suggests that users appreciate both new and older models, with the RTX 4060’s exceptional capabilities leading to significant market gains.
AMD’s top GPU, the Radeon RX 6600, only managed to achieve the 27th spot in the survey, indicating the challenges AMD faces in gaining market traction. Despite Nvidia’s stronghold, AMD’s Radeon series remains a competitive force but is notably behind in market share. The RTX 3060 remains the most popular GPU among surveyed users, highlighting a preference for mid-range Ampere and Lovelace GPUs. The continued success of older models such as the GTX 1650 and GTX 2060 underscores consumer reliance on affordable, durable performance, a niche Nvidia has effectively capitalized on.