Steam Survey: 32GB RAM overtakes 16GB as most common gaming PC configuration
Valve's September 2026 Steam Hardware Survey shows 32GB of system RAM is now used by 42.22% of surveyed gaming PCs, up 4.77% from August, while 16GB configurations fell to 37.82%. Unusual configurations like 24GB and 48GB also grew slightly, even as a global memory chip shortage continues.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The shift suggests gamers are upgrading RAM despite higher prices, possibly because games like Minecraft have raised their recommended memory requirements. The survey also shows AMD reaching a record 48.37% CPU market share on Steam, which could indicate it is closing in on overtaking Intel if the current growth trend continues.
- 32GB RAM now leads Steam Survey gaming PCs at 42.22%, surpassing 16GB for the first time
- Shift happens despite an ongoing memory chip shortage and some laptops still shipping with 8GB RAM
- AMD's CPU market share hit 48.37% in September, its highest point of the year, narrowing the gap with Intel
Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5 RAM Kit — With 32GB now the top RAM configuration among gamers per the Steam Survey, upgrading to a reliable DDR5 kit is a smart way to future-proof your rig. Corsair Vengeance kits are a popular choice for gamers looking to boost multitasking and performance in demanding titles without breaking the bank.
See Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5 RAM Kit on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tomshardware.com — Jowi Morales, 2026-10-05
Published there as: “32GB dethrones 16GB as top RAM capacity in gaming rigs despite memory shortage”
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