The latest Steam Hardware and Software Survey data for January 2026 reveals a notable shift in CPU market share. Intel has experienced its first period of growth in months, while AMD, despite a slight dip, continues to hold a significant and record-breaking portion of the market among Steam users. This dynamic indicates a competitive landscape driven by new hardware releases and evolving consumer preferences.
Key Takeaways
- Intel’s CPU market share on Steam increased by 0.25% to 56.64% in January 2026, breaking a months-long decline.
- AMD saw a slight decrease of 0.19%, settling at 43.34% market share.
- AMD’s Ryzen 9000X3D series has been a strong driver of its recent market share gains.
- Intel’s “Arrow Lake” launch faced initial gaming performance challenges, with anticipation building for the “Arrow Lake Refresh.”
Intel’s Resurgence and AMD’s Continued Dominance
After a consistent period of decline, Intel’s CPU market share on the Steam platform has finally seen an uptick. The January 2026 survey data indicates a 0.25% increase, bringing Intel’s share to 56.64%. This marks a significant turnaround from the steady downward trend observed since September 2025, when Intel held 58.61% of the market. This growth suggests that Intel’s market share losses may have stabilized, potentially paving the way for a rebound.
Conversely, AMD, which had been on a months-long upward trajectory, experienced a minor pullback of 0.19%, now holding 43.34% of the market. This slight decrease does little to diminish AMD’s overall strong performance, largely attributed to the popularity of its Ryzen 9000X3D series processors, which have been highly favored by PC gaming enthusiasts.
Factors Influencing Market Share
The performance of recent CPU generations appears to be a key factor in these shifts. Intel’s “Arrow Lake” processors have encountered some initial criticism regarding gaming performance. However, the company has been implementing discounts and firmware updates to improve the situation. The upcoming “Arrow Lake Refresh,” slated for March or April, is expected to offer higher clock speeds and further tuning, which could influence future market share.
AMD’s success, particularly with its X3D variants, highlights the continued demand for high-performance gaming CPUs. While the Steam survey reflects a broad user base, including older systems, the consistent gains by AMD suggest a strong preference for their offerings in new gaming PC builds. The long-term trend indicates that if Intel cannot effectively compete in the gaming segment, AMD is well-positioned to become the dominant CPU provider on Steam.
Via Steam Survey
