Valve has released a detailed snapshot of the hardware environments used by Steam players during September, shedding light on which setups most gamers rely on worldwide. The data paints a picture of a diverse PC landscape, yet it also highlights clear preferences among core components and configurations. While progress in some areas shows a steady drift, other parts exhibit resilience, revealing how players balance performance, cost, and personal needs when building or upgrading their rigs.
In this latest overview, Windows 10 (64-bit) sees a modest dip, slipping by 0.57 percentage points. Even so, Windows 10 remains the dominant operating system on Steam, underscoring how many players continue to favor familiar, stable software environments. On the hardware side, there is a subtle shift toward newer graphical horsepower, as the share of GTX 1060 cards rises by 0.34 percentage points, indicating that a larger cohort is squeezing more frame rates out of mid-range GPUs without pushing into enthusiast territory.
The September breakdown of the most common hardware configurations highlights several stable baselines, along with small moves that signal evolving preferences among Steam users.
- Operating System – Windows 10 (68.49%);
- RAM – 16 GB (53.19%);
- Processor – 6-core (33.54%);
- Video Card – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6.73%);
- Video Memory – 8 GB (25.06%);
- Monitor resolution – 1920×1080 (66.38%);
- Language – English (36.71%);
- Free space on HDD/SSD — from 100 GB to 249 GB (25.62%);
- Total space on HDD / SSD – more than 1 TB (50.90%);
- VR headset – Oculus Quest 2 (41.39%).
Beyond hardware, the September snapshot reveals how Steam users allocate storage and how their language settings reflect global reach. The dominance of 1080p displays remains evident for many players, while the majority allocate substantial drive space to support modern libraries and large game installations. For a large segment of the community, English-language content dominates the storefront experience, although non-English options continue to grow, expanding access and creating more inclusive, localized ecosystems.
In practical terms, these patterns influence how developers decide on optimization targets, how publishers size and tune patches, and how gamers plan future upgrades. A 16 GB RAM baseline paired with a 6-core processor and a mid-range GPU creates a solid, reliable experience for a broad library of titles, striking a balance between price and performance. The prevalence of 1080p screens means most players prioritize smooth frame rates over ultra-high resolutions, particularly in fast-paced titles where responsiveness wins. Storage habits also matter: many users keep more than a terabyte of space, ensuring quick access to a growing catalog without constantly juggling installations or deleting games to free up room.
Valve’s September report also touches on the VR front, with Oculus Quest 2 appearing as a popular choice among Steam users who explore virtual reality experiences. This signals continued interest in immersive gaming, supported by a combination of standalone devices and PC-connected setups that keep the VR ecosystem lively and accessible for a broad audience.
On a practical note, a recent promotional event in Russia featured a sale with prices starting as low as 13 rubles, illustrating how regional campaigns can energize user engagement, clear the shelves, or spark renewed curiosity about titles that might have been overlooked. Another conversation thread from the same period highlighted the profitability of certain titles, hinting at a dynamic landscape where developers and players alike respond to short-term market opportunities and seasonal promotions.
Overall, the September hardware snapshot offers a valuable, real-world view into how Steam’s enormous user base configures personal machines. It underscores that while trends shift gradually, the core setup—composed of balanced CPU, memory, and graphics pipelines, combined with adequate storage and a dependable display—remains the bedrock of a satisfying gaming experience for millions of players across North America and beyond.
Source: VG Times