hardware survey Archives

Winsage

July 4, 2025

Gamers continue to make the switch to Windows 11 — and not just from Windows 10, either

Windows remains the dominant operating system for gaming, with a modest increase in market share as users transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Windows 11 is approaching the market share of Windows 10, while Windows 7's share is declining. Microsoft has extended security support for Windows 10 for an additional year, potentially slowing migration to Windows 11. The most-used GPU among Steam players has shifted from the NVIDIA RTX 3060 to the RTX 4060 laptop variant, indicating a change in gaming hardware preferences. AMD is gaining market share, particularly with devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, contributing to a more diverse gaming landscape.

Winsage

July 2, 2025

When Microsoft finally pulls the plug on Windows 10 its successor will be four years old, and for three of those, it was never the OS of choice amongst Steam users

Valve's hardware survey data shows that Windows 10 remains the dominant operating system among PC gamers, with a slow decline expected despite Microsoft's upcoming support cessation. Windows 11 has not surpassed 60% in any Steam survey sample, and its growth has been stagnant. Windows 7 currently holds a mere 0.1% share, and projections suggest it could take about 82 months for Windows 10 to reach that level if trends continue. Linux's share has increased from around 1% to over 2.5% in three years, while Windows 11's growth has only seen a 3.7x increase during the same period. The survey indicates that the launch of the Steam Deck has had a limited impact on Linux adoption.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Gaming on Linux is better than ever — but it’s still bad

Linux has evolved significantly in the gaming sector, becoming a credible alternative to Microsoft for PC gaming, aided by tools like Proton and a dedicated community. However, challenges remain, such as compatibility issues and a lack of native Linux game versions. The introduction of DirectX by Microsoft solidified Windows as the primary gaming platform, creating a focus on Windows that disadvantages Linux. Proton allows many Windows games to run on Linux but does not create native versions, and essential software for graphics cards is often missing. Currently, Windows holds over a 95% share in the Steam hardware survey, while Linux accounts for only 2.69%. Despite progress, Linux still faces a long journey to become a mainstream gaming platform.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Is Windows 11 Finally Better Than Windows 10 For Gaming?

Windows 11 has introduced several gaming-focused enhancements that are not present in Windows 10, including: - DirectStorage: Optimized for Windows 11, this technology allows games to load data directly from an NVMe SSD to the GPU, reducing load times. - Auto HDR: Enhances older games by automatically applying high dynamic range lighting effects for users with HDR-capable monitors. - Improved Scheduling for Hybrid CPUs: Offers better task scheduling for Intel's 12th or 13th generation CPUs, resulting in smoother frame rates during CPU-intensive gaming sessions. Benchmark tests show minimal performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11, with slight FPS improvements in some titles on Windows 11, especially when using advanced hardware and DirectStorage. As of March 2025, over 55% of Windows users on Steam have transitioned to Windows 11, indicating growing confidence in the operating system among gamers. Windows 11 has addressed many early bugs and driver issues, providing robust stability on compatible systems. Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including the need for TPM 2.0 and UEFI secure boot. Windows 10 remains supported until October 2025, making it a viable option for users with older hardware. Windows 11 features a redesigned interface with a centered Start Menu and Taskbar, rounded corners, and expanded personalization options. It also simplifies the update process with annual feature updates and smaller, faster security updates. Windows 11 enhances integration with Microsoft services, supports Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, and introduces productivity tools like Snap Layouts and improved Task View. Security improvements include mandatory TPM 2.0, enhanced Windows Defender, and a redesigned privacy dashboard for better user control over app permissions. Despite its advancements, Windows 11 has limitations such as ongoing stability issues, driver compatibility concerns, and a simplified taskbar that lacks certain functionalities from Windows 10. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

New Windows 11 feature aims to help more users understand their PC’s performance

Microsoft has introduced a new feature in Windows 11 that provides users with insights into how their hardware affects overall performance. This feature, found in the 'About' section of the 'System' settings, includes a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to a user's PC specifications, such as the impact of GPU and RAM on system capabilities. While the FAQs offer basic information, they lack depth and could benefit from additional resources about hardware upgrades. The feature is currently part of an Insider Build and may evolve before its official release. Despite these efforts, many users still prefer Windows 10, as indicated by recent statistics from the Steam Hardware Survey.

Winsage

March 6, 2025

Windows 10 has replaced Windows 11 as Steam’s top OS again

Windows 11 has experienced slow adoption rates, taking over three years to gain traction in the gaming community, while Windows 10 has regained its status as the preferred operating system on Steam as of February 2025. The latest Steam Hardware Survey indicates that Windows 10 64-bit has increased by 10.47%, giving it over 50% of Valve's user base, compared to Windows 11's 44.10%. Factors contributing to Windows 10's resurgence may include its reputation for speed in gaming and issues with Windows 11, particularly following the 24H2 update. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in Simplified Chinese users on Steam, which now accounts for 35% of the platform. Meanwhile, the transition to Windows 11 is ongoing, with a consistent 2% monthly increase reported by Statcounter, likely influenced by the upcoming end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Despite this, the upgrade process has faced criticism due to initial compatibility issues related to TPM requirements.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Windows 10, 32 GB of RAM, and the RTX 4060 all surge to the top spot in the Steam Hardware Survey, seemingly due to a huge influx of Chinese-language user data

Windows 10 has regained its status as the most prevalent operating system among PC gamers, while 32 GB of system RAM is now the most common configuration. There has been a 21% increase in users identifying Simplified Chinese as their primary language, suggesting a potential skew in the survey sample towards the Chinese gaming market. Nvidia's RTX 4060 has surpassed the RTX 3060 in popularity, with a 4% increase. The survey results may be influenced by a significant shift back to Windows 10 and increased RAM usage. Suggestions for improving the survey include segmenting results by geographical markets and introducing an optional monthly hardware scan feature.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Valve survey reveals almost 45% of gamers are still using Win 10

Nearly 45% of gamers on Steam continue to use Windows 10, according to a hardware survey conducted by Valve in January 2025, which shows that 44.41% of users rely on this operating system. In contrast, Windows 11 has captured 55.38% of the user base on the platform.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Steam Survey Shows Windows 10 Users Still Represent Around 43% Of The User Base

Approximately 43% of Steam users continue to utilize Windows 10 as it approaches its end-of-life status in October 2025. Windows 11 has seen gradual adoption since its launch in 2021, but stringent system requirements, such as TPM 2.0, have hindered its growth. Microsoft has stated that ongoing technical and security support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, and will not relax its TPM requirement. Users with incompatible machines may need to invest in new PCs to transition to Windows 11.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Nearly 45% of Steam users still on Windows 10 despite looming deadline

Over 44 percent of gamers are using Windows 10, while 55 percent have transitioned to Windows 11, according to a Steam survey from January 2025. Microsoft will cease official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which will result in no new security updates. Windows 11 has been available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users, but many older PCs do not meet its hardware requirements. The most prevalent graphics card among Steam users is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, and the most common storage capacity exceeds 1TB, with users typically having between 100GB to 249GB of free space.