According to Steam’s most recent GPU hardware poll, there is a new top. The GTX 1650 ranked first in the November 2022 survey. The GTX 1060 previously held this position. This might herald a dramatic shift in the GPU sector, which has been plagued by issues.
The epidemic and subsequent chip scarcity caused certain supply chain problems for GPU makers. As a result, many consumers elected to keep their older graphics cards for longer than they would have otherwise. However, with GPU demand and prices finally falling, it appears that users may be upgrading their aged cards.
The GTX 1650 Super
The GeForce 16 series, which debuted in 2019, is approaching its fourth anniversary. Much has changed since then. In the realm of graphics cards, that might be an eternity. Although there is always talk about the latest and best graphics cards, you might be surprised at how long older cards are supported.
Despite the fact that Nvidia has produced multiple new cards, many computer manufacturers continue to use the 16 series cards. Because of this, as well as the fact that it was released before the pandemic and chip scarcity, the GTX 1650 super remains one of the most popular cards.
Although the GTX 1650 was not the fastest card at the time, its low pricing and mid-range performance convinced computer buyers to go with it. There was also a laptop version of the 1650’s chip. Overall, the GTX 1650 super was a fantastic card that provided enough power for the majority of gamers, and it remains a very competitive alternative today.
With that in mind, you should generally avoid purchasing a GTX 1650 for your PC unless you require a basic card and can locate a great offer. Although the cards are still adequate for video editing and basic gaming, they are gradually being surpassed by better models such as the 30 and 40 series.
Steam’s Hardware Survey
Steam, a computer gaming platform, can detect the type of GPU in millions of machines. This provides valuable insight into the present condition of PC gaming. It’s no surprise that the majority of Steam users have Nvidia graphics cards. However, the number of other GPUs, such as AMD’s cards and discrete graphics, can also be seen.
While this provides fantastic insight, there are certain limitations and concerns that could muddle the results. To begin, Steam groups certain cards with variations together while keeping others separate. This could explain why the GTX1650 super is so popular. Second, laptop cards are paired with desktop variants of the same name, which have vastly different performance metrics.
Another popular card is the RTX 3060, which comes in PC and laptop versions. A brief look at the data shows that if the desktop and laptop models were combined, it would easily outperform the GTX 1650. Consumer preferences are changing, and more gamers are upgrading their old graphics cards.
The purpose of pointing out these subtleties is not to discredit the numbers, but rather to recognize their limitations. Most notably, the GTX 1650 moved up a few slots in the previous months. At the same time, the RTX 2060 dropped in price. Several conclusions may be drawn from this data, but the most obvious is that people are just updating their computers, especially with graphics card prices falling.
GPU Market
For the past few years, the GPU market has been on a rollercoaster ride. Some good cards were revealed, only to be out of reach for many. Not to mention the enormous demand from cryptocurrency miners, which appears to be easing. There was also a pandemic and chip scarcity, as well as the possibility of a recession in the near future.
All of these elements have contributed significantly to gamers keeping older graphics cards for longer periods of time. New cards were notoriously difficult to get, and resellers snatched up any available stock. However, the madness of the last three years appears to be coming to an end, with some new difficulties ahead.
A drop in cryptocurrency valuations and rising commodity prices appear to be driving a major shift in the GPU market. GPUs have gone from being unavailable everywhere to being widely available at steep discounts in recent months. The fact that prices for cards such as the GTX 1650 and 2060 are falling implies that people are finally upgrading their outdated GPUs.
Conclusion
For PC gamers, the last few years have been a roller coaster ride. However, it appears like things are finally turning around. However, there are many positive things to say about the GTX 1060 and its enduring appeal. The fact that it remained at number one for so long indicates that it was and continues to be immensely popular.
Even more astonishing, the GTX 1650 is not that much older. The GTX 1060 is now more than six years old, and the GTX 1650 super is more than four. It’s amazing how long these cards last and still operates admirably. It will be interesting to see how long the GTX 1650 can keep its position before being overtaken.
FAQs
Can laptop graphics cards be replaced?
No, graphics cards in laptops are incorporated into the motherboard and cannot be swapped.
When should you replace a graphics card?
If your graphics card is having trouble running games, you should consider upgrading it. Lower the settings for newer games to extend the life of an older card.
Will a GTX 1650 still work?
Many games will still run on the GTX 1650. It will, however, struggle to display the most recent games at a respectable resolution and framerate.
