32 GB RAM Overtakes 16 GB for the First Time: AMD Closes in on Intel in Steam Survey
The September 2026 Steam Hardware & Software Survey has highlighted two significant shifts in user hardware trends. For the first time, 32 GB of RAM has emerged as the most frequently reported capacity, surpassing the long-standing 16 GB standard. Additionally, AMD is steadily narrowing the gap with Intel in the processor market share among Steam users.
The Rise of 32 GB RAM
According to Valve's data, systems with 32 GB of RAM reached a 42.22% share in September, a 4.77 percentage point increase from August. Conversely, the 16 GB configuration dropped to 37.82%, a decrease of 3.38 percentage points. This puts the 32 GB configurations 4.40 percentage points ahead of their 16 GB counterparts.
This shift aligns with the evolving demands of modern gaming PCs, where users often run browsers, launchers, communication apps, and streaming software simultaneously with games. The adoption of DDR5 has also introduced non-standard module sizes, such as 24 GB, enabling 48 GB kits, though these remain significantly less common than the 32 GB standard.
AMD Gains Momentum Against Intel
The processor market share is also seeing a tightening race. Among Windows users, AMD reached 47.41% in September, up from 45.52% in August, while Intel holds 52.59%. When looking across all platforms tracked by Steam, the gap narrows further, with AMD at 48.37% and Intel at 51.63%.
The trend is even more pronounced on Linux, where AMD commands 66.18% of the share compared to Intel's 33.71%. It is important to note, however, that the Steam survey reflects the existing installed base rather than current sales. Furthermore, the September data may have been influenced by shifts in the survey's demographics, including a notable increase in users using Simplified Chinese.
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