Steam Hardware Survey Reveals Interesting Insight Into PC Gamers’ VRAM Use
A new community‑made chart based on the Steam Hardware Survey highlights the dominance of 8GB VRAM GPUs among entry‑level and mid‑range players. The histogram, shared on Reddit, organizes 20 performance bands using PassMark’s G3D scores, covering 82.24% of surveyed Steam users. The remaining cards fall into a generic “other” category.
Most Popular GPUs by Segment
The chart reveals clear favorites across different tiers:
- High-End GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 – 2.16% share
- Midrange GPUs: RTX 3060 desktop – 4.41% share; RTX 4060 Laptop – 4.84% share
- Entry-Level GPUs: GTX 1650 – 3.02% share; RTX 3050 – 3.07% share
- Legacy GPU: GTX 1050 – 0.71% share
Interestingly, some models such as the RTX 3090 Ti and RX 9070 XT did not appear, likely grouped under “other.” Early versions of the chart also double‑counted the RX 580 and RTX 5070, later corrected.
Why 8GB VRAM Matters
Analysis of 54 distinct entry‑level and mid‑range models, including GTX 16 series, RTX xx60 cards, and AMD’s RX 500/6000 series, shows a combined total of 430 GB VRAM, averaging 8 GB per card. This aligns with Valve’s October Steam Hardware Survey, which reported 33.46% of users running 8GB GPUs.
From a hardware perspective:
- Midrange GPUs (2025): Typically 8–12 GB VRAM with a 192‑bit bus
- High-End GPUs: Start at 256‑bit memory buses
- Enthusiast GPUs: 384‑bit or higher
This explains Valve’s decision to equip the Steam Machine with 8GB memory, targeting the majority of gamers rather than niche enthusiasts.
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat previously stated that the Steam Machine is “equal to or better than 70% of what people have at home.” If VRAM is the benchmark, the 8GB spec indeed matches the mid‑range majority. With 33.3% of systems offering more memory, roughly 67.6% of PCs fall at or below the Steam Machine’s level, reinforcing its relevance.
The debate over 8GB VRAM reignited in mid‑2025 with the release of GeForce RTX 5060 and Radeon RX 9060. Both NVIDIA and AMD faced criticism for limiting these models to 8GB, with AMD even claiming most gamers don’t need more. Reviews, however, found the 8GB versions less future‑proof, sparking heated discussions about long‑term viability.
The Steam Hardware Survey confirms that 8GB VRAM remains the sweet spot for mainstream gaming in 2025. While enthusiasts push for 16GB or more, Valve’s choice to standardize its Steam Machine at 8GB reflects the reality of the average PC gamer. Whether this spec will hold up against future game demands remains to be seen, but for now, 8GB continues to define the mid‑range market.
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