Steam hardware trends revealed by Valve in November 2022
Valve released a canonical snapshot of the hardware that Steam users leaned on most in November 2022. The report highlighted how the user base shifted over the month and which components defined the typical gaming setup during that period.
In a surprising turn, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 emerged as the leading video card, powering 6.05% of players. This marked a shift away from the long-dominant GTX 1060, which had held the top spot for years. The data also showed a gradual shift in operating systems: Windows 10 users decreased by 3.31%, while Windows 11 adoption rose by 4.61% across the Steam audience.
The breakdown of the most popular hardware in November is summarized as follows:
- Operating System – Windows 10 (65.60%);
- RAM – 16 GB (52.62%);
- Processor – 6 cores (32.60%);
- Video Card – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (6.05%);
- Video memory – 8 GB (26.22%);
- Screen resolution – 1920×1080 (65.06%);
- Language – English (35.62%);
- HDD / SDD space – more than 1 TB (47.97%);
- VR Headset – Oculus Quest 2 (41.12%).
In the broader context, these shifts mirror ongoing patterns in PC gaming where mid-range GPUs, common memory configurations, and full HD displays hold sway among a large portion of players. The data underscores the importance of system balance—ample RAM, solid CPU cores, and reliable storage—along with a practical approach to resolution and VR readiness. Market dynamics around operating systems also reflect compatibility priorities and the needs of game developers who optimize for a broad audience rather than a single platform.
Recent industry notes pointed to NVIDIA pausing production of the earliest ray-traced GPUs and tracked advances in mobile graphics with the latest RTX 40-series laptops. The quick progression in hardware generations continues to influence how players upgrade, what prices look like, and which games run most smoothly on popular configurations. The idea of repurposing older hardware for modern tasks, including 3D modeling and game testing, remains a practical path for enthusiasts who want to stretch value from existing gear. This evolving landscape encourages PC builders to consider not only raw performance but also power efficiency, driver support, and ecosystem compatibility as they plan upgrades or new setups.
Source: VG Times