The latest Steam survey results for January 2024 indicate some interesting shifts in the PC gaming landscape. While there has been a continued rise in gaming CPU core counts, with octa-core and better CPUs gaining significant momentum, it is important to note that this trend reflects an inevitable upgrade pattern rather than a shift exclusively for gaming purposes. Older systems are being upgraded to CPUs with higher core counts, as indicated by the survey data.
Unlike the GPU survey, which collects information on specific SKUs, the Steam survey focuses on core count and clock speed. Therefore, it is challenging to determine the exact SKU preferences of Steam users. However, based on the survey trends, it is evident that Steam users are transitioning from older dual, quad, and hexa cores to CPUs with 10 cores or more.
In terms of graphics cards, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 continues to dominate, although there has been a slight decrease in its usage. None of the RTX 40 series desktop GPUs have made it to the top 10 list yet. However, the RTX 4060 and RTX 4060 Ti cards are showing potential. It may still be some time before we see the RTX 40 Super series make a significant impact, considering the large number of users still utilizing RTX 10 series and RTX 30 series cards.
Interestingly, there has been a rise in the popularity of RTX 3060-based gaming notebooks and notebooks with RTX 4060 graphics. This indicates a growing demand for portable gaming solutions among Steam users.
When it comes to system memory, 16GB is the preferred RAM quota for almost half of Steam users, while 32GB is the choice for 23.71% of users. In terms of monitor resolution, 1080p remains the most widely used, followed by 1440p. It seems that users are hesitant to adopt higher resolutions due to the need for more powerful graphics cards and monitors.
The Steam survey also reveals a solid growth in VR headset usage. The Oculus Quest 2 is the most popular choice among Steam’s VR gamers, followed by the Valve Index. The Meta Quest platform, known for its accessibility and affordability, has experienced significant growth, capturing a 14.05% share of the VR headset user base on Steam.
In terms of operating systems, Windows 11 64-bit has gained traction and now accounts for 44.24% of users, reaching a similar level to Windows 10 64-bit (51.43%). This indicates a growing shift towards the new operating system, potentially replacing its older counterpart in the coming months. The majority of Steam users, amounting to 96.52%, still prefer the Windows platform, while Linux and MacOS have smaller user bases.
It is worth mentioning that Apple has made changes to its regulations, allowing apps like GeForce Now and Xbox game streaming on its devices. This opens up the possibility for Steam to encourage developers to create AR and VR games for Apple’s new $3,499 Apple Vision Pro device. Additionally, Valve is exploring the optimization of SteamOS for other portable gaming consoles with similar game controls. These steps may not challenge Windows’ dominance in the Steam survey, but they could contribute to the growth of Steam’s market share.
Overall, the January 2024 Steam survey provides valuable insights into the evolving preferences and trends within the PC gaming community. As technology continues to advance, we can expect further changes in hardware choices, VR adoption, and operating system preferences in the months and years to come.
FAQ:
1. What does the latest Steam survey for January 2024 reveal?
The latest Steam survey highlights some interesting shifts in the PC gaming landscape, including changes in CPU core counts, graphics card preferences, system memory choices, VR headset usage, and operating system preferences.
2. What trends are observed in CPU core counts?
The survey shows a continued rise in gaming CPU core counts, with more users upgrading to octa-core and better CPUs. This trend reflects an inevitable upgrade pattern rather than a shift exclusively for gaming purposes.
3. What information does the Steam survey collect on graphics cards?
Unlike the GPU survey, the Steam survey focuses on core count and clock speed rather than specific SKUs. It is challenging to determine the exact SKU preferences of Steam users based on the survey data.
4. Which graphics cards dominate the Steam user base?
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 remains the dominant graphics card among Steam users, although its usage has slightly decreased. None of the RTX 40 series desktop GPUs have made it to the top 10 list yet.
5. Are portable gaming solutions gaining popularity among Steam users?
Yes, there has been a rise in the popularity of RTX 3060-based gaming notebooks and notebooks with RTX 4060 graphics among Steam users. This indicates a growing demand for portable gaming solutions.
6. What are the preferred RAM quotas for Steam users?
16GB is the preferred RAM quota for almost half of Steam users, while 32GB is the choice for 23.71% of users.
7. What are the most widely used monitor resolutions among Steam users?
1080p remains the most widely used monitor resolution, followed by 1440p. Users seem hesitant to adopt higher resolutions due to the need for more powerful graphics cards and monitors.
8. Which VR headsets are popular among Steam’s VR gamers?
The Oculus Quest 2 is the most popular choice among Steam’s VR gamers, followed by the Valve Index. The Meta Quest platform has also experienced significant growth in terms of its user base on Steam.
9. Which operating systems are commonly used by Steam users?
Windows 11 64-bit has gained traction and now accounts for 44.24% of users, reaching a similar level to Windows 10 64-bit (51.43%). The majority of Steam users still prefer the Windows platform, while Linux and MacOS have smaller user bases.
10. Are there any changes in terms of Apple’s regulations and gaming on its devices?
Apple has made changes to its regulations, allowing apps like GeForce Now and Xbox game streaming on its devices. This opens up the possibility for Steam to encourage developers to create AR and VR games for Apple’s devices.
11. How could the growth of VR and optimization for portable gaming consoles contribute to Steam’s market share?
Valve is exploring the optimization of SteamOS for other portable gaming consoles with similar game controls. While this may not challenge Windows’ dominance in the Steam survey, it could contribute to the growth of Steam’s market share.
Definitions:
– SKU: Stock Keeping Unit, a unique identifier given to a product to track inventory.
– GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images.
– VR: Virtual Reality, an interactive computer-generated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world.
– RAM: Random Access Memory, a type of computer memory that is used to store data that is being actively used by a computer system.
– VR headset: A head-mounted device that provides virtual reality experiences, typically by displaying a separate image to each eye.
– OS: Operating System, a software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.
– SteamOS: A Linux-based operating system developed by Valve Corporation for its Steam Machine video game console.
Suggested related links:
– Steam Store
– Nvidia GeForce
– Oculus Quest 2
– Valve Corporation
– Windows
– macOS
The source of the article is from the blog coletivometranca.com.br