Surveyed PC gamers say they STILL prefer Windows 10 and mid-range 1080p over high-end parts

The world’s most popular PC is mild and affordable.

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What you need to know

The latest results ofValve’smonthly hardware and software survey are in, recently publishing itsOctober 2023 resultsonline with equally surprising and predictable picks for each PC component category. Running the most popular platform for PC gaming, theSteamapp gives Valve a unique opportunity to poll gamers worldwide and generate a reliable glance at what the world’s most popular computer looks like.

Unsurprisingly, Windows still holds a97.43%majority of PC gamers playing on Steam, though Linux only has a minor lead over macOS despite the popularity ofValve’s Steam Deckhandheld console. Things get more interesting when we break down each Windows OS version and seeWindows 10in the lead with a65.58%share, an increase of 7.61% since September, withWindows 11in second place at a much lower30.53%.

Why is Windows 10 still so popular for gamers?

Microsoftpulled Windows 10 from its official store in January, but that doesn’t stop third-party retailers from selling the last-generation operating system. However, mostpre-built gaming desktopsnow come with Windows 11 pre-installed, likewise for gaming laptops in digital and physical storefronts. Perhaps holdout PC gamers stick with Windows 10 installed on older computers, or the explanation might run deeper.

Speaking from experience, PC gamers are almost equally frugal and immune to recessions. It’s a bizarre combination. Some, like myself, will only settle for the absolute maximum value when forking out for expensive components in defiance ofridiculous recommended specs for games. In contrast, others will spring for the latest in next-generation hardware upon release, often to get ahead of price gouging by resellers.

Microsoft already committed to support Windows 10 until 2025, thoughrecent petitions have called for an extension. In an ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ sense, there isn’t anything inherently wrong with using a previous generation operating system if security patches and driver updates still happen regularly. Some might argue that UI changes turn gamers off from Windows 11 alongside a desire toremove annoying ads. Still, its continued support for modern software likeDirectX 12means Windows 10 is still viable and often cheaper.

Which components are best for 1080p gaming?

Among the Hardware & Software Survey results for October 2023, NVIDIA’swell-received GeForce RTX 3060graphics card stands out as the most popular choice, albeit as the 8GB VRAM variant. It suffered from scarce availability at launch and struggled to appeal against the stronger,higher-scoring RTX 3060 Tivariant, but situations improved dramatically over time. Choosing to upgrade my personal desktop from an older GeForce GTX 1660, the RTX 3060 with 12GB VRAM felt like a perfect choice since I stick to 1440p gaming for casual titles.

For 1080p (Full-HD) gaming, the 8GB RTX 3060 makes sense as a frugal option backed up by NVIDIA’sDLSS 3 upscaling techto help improve framerates while natively rendering games at a lower resolution, among other helpful boosts. Processors aren’t explicitly named, but a 6-core Intel CPU in the 2.3GHz to 2.69GHz range hints at the12th Gen Corei5-12400F.

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16GB of RAM remains the most popular pick, presumably DDR4, to match the age of the remaining components. However, 32GB is picking up the pace with an 8.28% increase since September, so a switch tomodern DDR5 memoryand more modern CPUs as the most popular options could happen sooner than we think. It’s a relief that the world’s most common gaming computer is an almost perfect match for my own, even if developers seem to ignore the stats with demanding AAA titles.

Pre-built gaming desktops

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Thankfully, it’s the best time to jump on this bandwagon of matching the most popular PC gaming components thanks toearly Black Friday dealsappearing online already.

Separate parts, includingdiscounted graphics cardslike the GeForce RTX 3060, have their own deals alongside appropriatelyreduced motherboardsto match.

Skipping the entire custom-built process is a more straightforward option thanks toearly pre-built gaming desktop PC deals, many of which will follow a similar specification to the recent Steam survey for the same reasons as being the best value.

I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the hottest discounts on all things PC gaming, even for my own benefit, as I slowly overhaul my desktop. Just don’t expose my gigantic wishlist of parts; it’ll scare my bank account.

Are you still using Windows 10? Let us know in the comments, and tell us how your PC specs match up against the most recent survey results from Valve!

Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.