NVIDIA RTX 5070 Secures 228% Growth in Latest Steam Hardware Survey

This month brought a notable increase in the popularity of GPUs, specifically highlighting the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 and RTX 5060, which experienced remarkable changes in market share.

GeForce RTX 5070 Tops GPU Popularity in Steam Hardware Survey; RTX 5060 Follows Closely with 32 GB System RAM Surging

The latest Steam Hardware Survey has revealed a significant shift in GPU popularity, with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 claiming the top spot. Previously, the RTX 4060 led the standings, but as of February 2026, the RTX 5070 surged from a modest 2.87% share in January to an impressive 9.42%, marking an astounding ~228% increase within a single month.

Steam Hardware Survey data from February 2026 showcasing GPU percentages — Steam Hardware Survey, February 2026; Sorted by Percentage Change

This dramatic shift underscores the ongoing trends in the GPU market, largely influenced by the ongoing “RAMpocalypse, ”which has caused significant fluctuations in graphics card availability. While the share of the RTX 4060 has remained stable, it has been overshadowed by the more significant ascent of the RTX 5070. Following closely behind is the RTX 5060, an entry-level option featuring 8 GB of VRAM, which has surged in popularity due to its affordability amidst prevailing VRAM shortages, achieving a remarkable 168% month-over-month growth to capture 6.72% of the GPU market share.

In addition to the RTX 5070 and 5060, other models within the GeForce RTX 50 series have also seen notable increases in popularity. The RTX 5060 Ti, albeit at a higher price point, shows a rising demand, though it remains unclear which variant (8 GB or 16 GB) is contributing more to this growth. The RTX 5080 has also seen movement, increasing its market share from 1.25% to 1.66% as it is positioned as a highly prioritized 16 GB GPU due to its superior performance compared to the RTX 5070 Ti. Interestingly, the RX 9000 series has seemingly vanished from the survey results, raising questions about its market presence.

System RAM distribution highlighting the surge in 32 GB RAM usage

Another remarkable development is the rise of 32 GB System RAM as the most popular configuration among Steam users. This month, the 32 GB RAM capacity has surged to a commanding 56.93% of total usage, reflecting an increase of 18.91% from the previous month. In contrast, the 16 GB capacity has seen a decline from nearly 40% market share to approximately 27.47% as users adapt to increasing demands for memory.

The price fluctuations in the memory market are noteworthy; currently, 32 GB DDR5 memory kits range from $350 to $400, with premium options exceeding $500. This surge in demand may be driven by consumer panic regarding potential price hikes, although there are indications that DDR5 prices may stabilize in some regions. Nonetheless, reports suggest a likelihood of further price increases in the upcoming weeks.

For more insights, visit the Steam Hardware Survey.

Source & Images