The monthly Steam Hardware Survey rarely delivers genuine milestones, but Valve’s July 2026 data contains two that have been building for most of this year: graphics cards with 16GB of VRAM now account for 25.9% of surveyed Steam systems, edging past 8GB cards at 25.32% to become the most common VRAM configuration on the platform for the first time in the survey’s history. Simultaneously, 8-core CPUs have overtaken 6-core chips, reaching 27.85% versus 27.52%.
The VRAM gap is 0.58 precent and the CPU gap is 0.33 percent, likely within the margin of error. However, 16GB VRAM gained 1.4 percentage points in July alone, while 8GB lost 0.32 percent. We’ve been watching this crossover approach for several months: in our March 2026 survey analysis, 16GB VRAM jumped to 21.53% with a +3.27-point gain as the RTX 50 series began accumulating. Our April analysis flagged 16GB as “becoming the new normal” and noted the RTX 50 series was driving the shift from the top down. In June, the survey showed an RTX 4060 Laptop GPU topping the chart for the first time, with 16GB at approximately 24.5%.
Windows-only figures tell a slightly different story: on Windows alone, 8GB at 33.20% remains the most common VRAM configuration, with 16GB at 25.9% across the combined survey that includes macOS and Linux (where integrated graphics pull differently). The combined view is what Valve publishes and what the industry tracks, but enthusiasts should know the Windows-specific breakdown still shows 8GB leading on that platform specifically.
Second, our May 2026 survey noted that the RTX 3060 was still stubbornly holding its position, and the July data confirms it: the RTX 3060 remains near the top of the individual card chart with a nearly 4% share. Of course, now that it has been resurrected, it’s entirely possible for it to start adding to its lead.
The July 2026 crossover gives studios a data-backed argument to normalize 16GB as a recommended GPU spec rather than a high-end luxury. The 8GB argument, which dominated GPU purchasing debates in 2024 and 2025, has now lost its statistical majority in the gaming population Valve tracks. The RTX 5070 Ti, the most popular exclusively 16GB card, holds 1.78% of surveyed systems. The RX 9070 XT represents 1.40%.
Discussion (14 replies)
Join Discussion →As the song says... Bout Damn Time.
Out of context I am not sure it matters - till resolution comes into play.
I have been wondering if 16gb is enough for 4k - so far it seems so. Not that I have been pushing my system much. AARPG's (POE 1-2/GD/TQ 1-2) tend to be more CPU bottlenecked than GPU.
Hmmmm Copilot seems to think:
16GB will work most of the time with no issues for 4K but I do occasionally see outliers of 18-20+ GB and I'm sure a 16GB will just load as needed so there could be more stutters or slightly lower FPS. I'm constantly checking stuff like this when gaming at 4K/70-115 FPS (my main displays are 120Hz G-sync), using DLSS performance, quality, or DLAA when able, but also MFG 2x or 3x, and of course everything usually set to max.
Ya I have a tendency to set things to ULTRA (Max) as well. And for some reason just dont like upscaling - I prefer everything native.
For what I play/do 60 fps is good and anything more is nifty. Still I miss the 24gb my 7900xtx had. The 16gb downgrade being balanced by improved Ray Trace is nice though.
Just don't forget DLAA, it's not the same as upscaling, it's native and then some. A lot of folks get this one mixed up.
Per Wiki (but accurate):
DLAA stands for Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing. It is an AI-powered anti-aliasing technology made by Nvidia that runs at your monitor's full native resolution. Unlike DLSS, which scales down resolution to boost frame rates, DLAA uses the AI core pipeline purely to clear up jagged edges and shimmering without any upscaling.
I've noticed with DLAA it causes ghosting of things like antennas on cars at high speed in Forza Horizon 6. That's JUST with DLAA. Also causes weird texture variance around the base of the car on some roadways as well. Over all the game looks better at 4k without those artifacts for me.
Interesting, don't have this game, but one I'm considering getting when it eventually gets discounted. Good to know.
I want the otner benefits of DLAA but so far it isnt ready yet in this game at least.
Does not DLAA require team green?
Yes it does.
AMD is good too. Just stop squinting looking for artifacts and enjoy the game :P
DLAA is f*cking AWESOME in FH5 so sad to hear it is broken in FH6. I'm sure it will eventually get fixed.
Oh I wouldn't hold my breath on that one, given the layoff hammer keeps swinging over there.
Sh1t, forgot about that...