Steam Hardware Survey Reveals Shifting CPU Market Share in September 2025
The latest Steam Hardware and Software Survey for September 2025 highlights a notable shift in the PC gaming CPU landscape. According to Valve’s monthly data, Intel’s share among Steam users has dropped to a record low of 58.61%, while AMD has climbed to 41.31%. This ongoing trend signals a significant change in gamer preferences and the broader PC hardware market.
AMD Narrows the Gap with Consistent Growth
AMD’s steady rise is not the result of a single surge, but rather a consistent pattern that has been building over the past year. Since June, AMD has gained approximately 2 percentage points, continuing its upward trajectory. This momentum is largely attributed to the popularity of AMD’s gaming-optimized X3D processors, which have received strong reviews in both benchmark tests and real-world gaming scenarios.
Competitive pricing and aggressive promotions for AMD-powered systems have further fueled this growth. As a result, more gamers are choosing AMD CPUs for their gaming rigs, reflecting a shift in consumer sentiment and performance expectations.
Intel Faces Challenges Despite Market Leadership
While Intel remains the largest single CPU vendor among Steam users, its market share continues to decline month after month. Recent processor launches have not reversed this trend, and the company is now focusing on highlighting gaming performance parity with AMD’s top models, as well as superior results in content creation workloads.
To regain momentum, Intel will need to deliver more compelling product launches, refine its messaging, and offer competitive pricing to appeal to the gaming community.
Implications for Gamers, Builders, and the PC Industry
The evolving CPU market share has practical implications for gamers, PC builders, and the wider supply chain. Hardware manufacturers and retailers may adjust their inventory and marketing strategies to align with the growing demand for AMD-based systems. Game developers are also taking note, optimizing their titles to perform well on both platforms.
If current trends continue, AMD could surpass Intel among Steam users within the next year—a milestone that would mark a first in the history of the Steam Hardware Survey. For AMD, the challenge will be to maintain this momentum and translate it into long-term leadership, all while managing supply and profitability.
The competition between Intel and AMD is now front and center for the PC gaming community, with each company striving to deliver the best value and performance. As the CPU rivalry intensifies, gamers and industry stakeholders alike are watching closely to see how the landscape will evolve in the months ahead.
