More Steam games are being played on 1440p monitors, as pricey GPUs limit 4K adoption

Despite 4K OLED panels becoming more mainstream, an overwhelming number of gamers play at lower resolutions. The June Steam Hardware and Software Survey reveals that 1080p screens continue to dominate. However, as a compromise between pixel density and cost, 1440p monitor options are enticing buyers. Meanwhile, Nvidia RTX 50-series cards remain absent from the list of top 10 GPUs, with the RTX 4060 at the top.

The Steam survey also includes responders who run Steam games and other titles on laptops. Cheaper alternatives vastly outnumber 4K-capable laptops. Nevertheless, just 4.49% of players game at 3,840 x 2,160 or 4K resolution. The share has only grown by 0.01% since the May Steam survey.

1440p monitors and screens are seeing the most growth. 19.86% of those surveyed play at 2,560 x 1,440, an increase of 0.37% from the previous month. 1080p remains by far the most common option, with 54.54% of Steam fans gaming on the affordable displays. Even so, that total has fallen by 0.81% compared to the previous 30-day period.

The survey doesn't ask why gamers choose one resolution or GPU over another. Still, expense is likely a major factor, with most of the top graphics cards used more suited for 1080p or 1440p gaming. Even with Nvidia and AMD debuting DLSS 4 and FSR 4 upscaling, gamers are opting for higher refresh rates over 4K/60Hz settings.

Many buyers may also not have the desk space for a larger 4K monitor. Below 32 inches, the benefits of higher resolution displays diminish. Still, 4K supporters with a large library of Steam games can take some comfort in trends over the past five years. While 4.49% of gamers play at the resolution now, the percentage has jumped from 1.97% in early 2020. Nevertheless, 1440p adoption is rising rapidly, increasing from 5.86% to its current 19.86% mark.