According to the latest reports, things are shaking up a bit on the CPU and GPU fronts as gamers make their latest upgrade choices. When it comes to processors it looks like gamers are now primarily using eight-core CPUs after a decades-long trend of using 4C/8T offerings from AMD and Intel. It’s been a close race with hex core or 6C/8T CPUs as many users overclocked their lower-core, more budget-friendly brethren to get the most out of them but according to data shared from CPU-Z Validator, it looks as if 8C/16T is the new choice among PC users in general.
Usage of 8C processors is now at an all-time high of 24.7%, an increase of 32.6% from last year, with AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D being the most popular. Hex core CPUs are at a close second place at 22.5% but dipped by 6.9%, while four core processors dropped bt 13.2% to 19.4%. Intel still holds the majority market share when it comes to processors at 56.3% but has lost 10.0% year over year while AMD at 43.7%, continues to gain ground at an increase of 16.6%.
Most popular GPUs
NVIDIA is still the reigning GPU manufacturer of choice with a 67.9% share but has seen a significant loss from last year when it was over 75%. AMD’s Radeon 7000 RDNA3 series and recent 9000 RDNA 4 series launch, combined with NVIDIA’s skyrocketing prices are likely reasons for it now sitting at 31.5%, once again another 16.6% gain. Intel too has seen some growth in this sector and while seemingly small at 0.7% it is an increase of 27.1% from the previous year. Meanwhile, it should be noted that NVIDIA’s GPUs occupy all of the top ten with its RTX 3060 and RTX 4060 holding the top spots.
From VRAM to Chipsets
A more hilarious trend spotted is the 3,394.1% increase for GPU VRAM size among those who are now using GPUs with 32 GB. This no doubt is due to folks that have snagged one of NVIDIA’s flagship RTX 5090 GPUs that range in price from $2K to upwards of $4K. Another interesting trend is that AMD’s budget-friendly B650 chipset has seen an increase of 89.9% to claim to share the top spots with its older sibling, the B550 at 9.8%, and the B450 slightly behind at 7.3%. Intel’s flagship Z790 resides in fourth place at 5.9% having dropped by 28.1% since last year.
Summary
Clearly users are looking for the most economical means to upgrading, purchasing, or upgrading PCs. AMD’s gains tend to represent more optimal performance vs cost but product supply is an ongoing factor for both it and NVIDIA. Meanwhile, Intel, who still sits at the top of the CPU manufacturer list, looks to be losing ground there while its GPU division could stand to make major gains if it too could get more products to market as the low-to-mid GPU segment experiences greater levels of competition and growth opportunities from low-cost offerings.