Steam Player Hardware and Software Trends for May
Valve refreshed Steam’s user hardware and software data, comparing the latest numbers with April to give a clear snapshot of how a broad North American PC gaming audience configures systems, which software environments are most common, and how these trends shift month by month. The focus is on what players actually use when they log into Steam, not theoretical setups, offering developers and retailers a practical view of real-world hardware and software adoption in the United States and Canada.
The most popular operating system remains Windows 10 (64-bit), with Windows 11 (64-bit) in second place. Over the month, Windows 10 shows a modest uptick while Windows 11 also gains ground, suggesting a gradual migration rather than a rapid switch. These gradual changes reflect ongoing compatibility improvements, driver updates, and new features that appeal to gamers who value stability, performance, and broad software support. The data underscore the importance for game developers and publishers to maintain broad OS compatibility when targeting a North American audience.
The leading video card in Steam’s telemetry is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, used by 6.98% of users. This points to a broader preference for mid-range GPUs among a sizable portion of Steam players, with small monthly increases indicating steady hardware refresh cycles among budget-conscious gamers. The GTX 1060’s continued presence highlights how many players still rely on reliable, affordable graphics performance for smooth 1080p gaming experiences and respectable frame rates across a wide library of titles. The trend also shows sensitivity to price-to-performance ratios as new GPU generations arrive.
In terms of system memory and processing power, Steam users show a strong bias toward 16 GB of RAM, which accounts for roughly half of all sessions (51.41%). This preference aligns with expectations for modern gaming, where extra headroom supports multitasking, streaming, and demanding titles. A 4-core processor remains the most common choice (33.03%), reflecting a balance between cost and adequate performance for a large share of games and applications. For graphics memory, 8 GB of VRAM remains the most common configuration (25.28%), suitable for many contemporary titles at standard settings and resolutions. The dominant display resolution is 1920×1080 (67.32%), matching the widespread use of 1080p monitors and laptop screens among mainstream gamers. Oculus Quest 2 continues to be the most popular VR headset (47.99%), highlighting steady interest in immersive experiences and the growing link between PC-powered and standalone VR ecosystems.
Earlier in the period, Steam introduced a new weekly sale cadence, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to fresh promotions and value opportunities for players. The emergence of a new horror title that revisits a classic character caught online attention, showcasing how Steam’s store events can shape interest and viewing patterns across VR and non-VR titles alike. Consumers and industry observers watch such promotions to gauge how well new content resonates with the Steam audience, especially in markets with strong PC gaming communities in North America.
Overall, the May data offer a practical view of how North American Steam users configure their PCs and apps. It highlights prevalent hardware in the mid-range segment, trends toward larger RAM pools, common processing cores, and the enduring appeal of 1080p displays. As hardware prices evolve and new software features launch, these patterns may shift, yet the current snapshot serves as a reliable guide for developers, retailers, and researchers tracking consumer behavior in the United States and Canada.