The November 2024 Steam Hardware Survey is out, and it delivers some eye-popping insights into what's happening behind the scenes with gamers’ hardware and OS preferences. Drumroll, please—Windows 11 just saw its usage spike by a solid 4.18% among Steam users in a single month! Meanwhile, Windows 10 lost almost exactly the same share, dropping 4.15%. Taken together, these numbers signal a not-so-subtle exodus from Windows 10 as the clock ticks closer to its end-of-support date.
But that’s not all the stats revealed, so buckle up as we dive into the data that sheds light on what’s hot (and what’s not) in the PC gaming world.
This shift might sound minuscule, but it’s worth watching. Apple's hardware, particularly powered by its M2 architecture, has gained traction as a viable (albeit niche) option for gaming. Meanwhile, Linux-friendly platforms like SteamOS are tied to the success of devices like the Steam Deck, which continues to ride the crest of popularity among portable gaming enthusiasts.
Interestingly, mobile GPUs like the RTX 4060 Mobile are clawing their way up the ladder, gaining 0.58% over the same period. The surge in gaming laptops—which offer competitive performance in a more portable form factor—seems to be fueling this trend. Could mobile GPUs soon outshine their desktop counterparts? The possibility is real, and we may witness a paradigm shift in gaming hardware preferences.
On the flip side, AMD is holding its own with a respectable 35.71% share of the market. Though Intel, at 64.23%, continues to dominate, any noticeable dent in its market share raises eyebrows. AMD’s Zen-based processors have increasingly appealed to cost-conscious gamers who still demand performance—making it a fierce competitor.
For now, though, Windows 10 users still have a bit of breathing room. The end-of-support deadline might be next year, but if November’s numbers are anything to go by, the writing’s on the wall: the age of Windows 11 is here, and it’s getting harder to ignore.
What do you think of these trends on Steam? Are you still holding onto Windows 10, or have you already taken the leap to Windows 11? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Source: Overclocking.com https://en.overclocking.com/windows-11-big-growth-on-steam-in-november/
But that’s not all the stats revealed, so buckle up as we dive into the data that sheds light on what’s hot (and what’s not) in the PC gaming world.
Windows 11 Surges Ahead: Why the Sudden Uptick?
Windows 11’s impressive 4.18% growth isn’t a fluke—it’s backed by a confluence of factors that increasingly make the transition to Microsoft’s latest operating system almost inevitable, especially for PC gamers:1. End of Support for Windows 10
Microsoft isn’t pulling any punches here—Windows 10 support will officially end in 2025, which is barely a calendar flip away. Gamers, who are highly reliant on an up-to-date OS for driver support and stability, are switching gears earlier than anticipated to avoid being left stranded.2. Pre-Installed on New Systems
Let’s face it, a lot of this Windows 11 growth is the result of inertia. Most new prebuilt machines, especially gaming laptops and desktops, now come with Windows 11 pre-installed. And because gamers often buy new rigs specifically for optimized performance, many are saying goodbye to Windows 10 simply out of necessity.3. Windows 11 Features Better Optimizations for Gaming
While Windows 10 is no slouch, Windows 11 brings some genuine value propositions for gamers, such as DirectStorage technology. DirectStorage minimizes CPU bottlenecks and leverages NVMe SSDs for ultra-fast game load times. The operating system is also optimized for features like Auto-HDR and offers smoother integration with Xbox Game Pass. For the hardcore gaming crowd, these improvements are indeed enticing.Not All Rosy for Windows: MacOS and Linux Gain Marginal Ground
While Microsoft can celebrate Windows 11’s climb up the ladder, it isn’t all cause for unbridled optimism. The overall percentage of Windows users on Steam declined ever so slightly in November—by 0.05%, to be exact. Meanwhile, MacOS and Linux are stealthily nibbling away at the edges, gaining 0.02% and 0.03%, respectively.This shift might sound minuscule, but it’s worth watching. Apple's hardware, particularly powered by its M2 architecture, has gained traction as a viable (albeit niche) option for gaming. Meanwhile, Linux-friendly platforms like SteamOS are tied to the success of devices like the Steam Deck, which continues to ride the crest of popularity among portable gaming enthusiasts.
The Hardware Story: RTX 3060 Dominates but Feels the Heat
Shifting gears to hardware, the Steam Hardware Survey provided a snapshot of the GPU hierarchy. The RTX 3060 still reigns as the most popular graphics card among surveyed users—but its share is starting to erode. Specifically, usage of the RTX 3060 dropped by 0.70% in November.Interestingly, mobile GPUs like the RTX 4060 Mobile are clawing their way up the ladder, gaining 0.58% over the same period. The surge in gaming laptops—which offer competitive performance in a more portable form factor—seems to be fueling this trend. Could mobile GPUs soon outshine their desktop counterparts? The possibility is real, and we may witness a paradigm shift in gaming hardware preferences.
Processor Wars: Intel Stumbles Slightly, AMD Stays Competitive
When we look at processors, Intel 6-core CPUs running between 2.3 GHz and 2.69 GHz remain the choice of the masses. However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for Intel in this round—they saw their overall share slip by 1.94%.On the flip side, AMD is holding its own with a respectable 35.71% share of the market. Though Intel, at 64.23%, continues to dominate, any noticeable dent in its market share raises eyebrows. AMD’s Zen-based processors have increasingly appealed to cost-conscious gamers who still demand performance—making it a fierce competitor.
VR Trends: Meta Quest 2 Leads the Charge
For virtual reality players, the Meta Quest 2 continues to sit pretty, claiming 34.14% of the VR headset market. This is hardly surprising given the Quest 2’s aggressive pricing and versatility, which allow it to operate as a standalone device or tethered to a gaming PC. VR remains a niche within gaming, but the popularity of titles like Beat Saber and Half-Life: Alyx keeps the flame alive.How Can You Prepare for the Windows 11 Move?
If this article has you rethinking whether it’s time to ditch Windows 10, you’re not alone. Here’s a quick checklist to smooth your transition to Windows 11:- Check Compatibility: Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to ensure your system supports Windows 11’s hardware requirements. Don’t skip over pesky restraints like the need for TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
- Upgrade for Free: Most legitimate Windows 10 licenses allow a free upgrade to Windows 11 via Windows Update. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to see if the option is available.
- Back Up Your Data: Always maintain updated backups of your files before making major OS changes. Though the upgrade is generally seamless, Murphy’s Law says things can go wrong.
- Leverage Gaming Features: Once onboard Windows 11, explore features like Game Mode, Auto-HDR, and DirectStorage that could enhance your gaming experience instantly.
What Does This Mean for Gamers?
As gamers increasingly migrate to Windows 11, developers will double down on optimizing games for the latest Microsoft platform. This means we’ll likely see fewer games officially supporting older OS versions like Windows 10. The uptake signals a pivotal moment in gaming, where hardware and software must evolve together to tap into the best possible experience.For now, though, Windows 10 users still have a bit of breathing room. The end-of-support deadline might be next year, but if November’s numbers are anything to go by, the writing’s on the wall: the age of Windows 11 is here, and it’s getting harder to ignore.
What do you think of these trends on Steam? Are you still holding onto Windows 10, or have you already taken the leap to Windows 11? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Source: Overclocking.com https://en.overclocking.com/windows-11-big-growth-on-steam-in-november/
