CPU shipments witnessed remarkable growth in Q3 2025, marking the third consecutive quarter of expansion. Jon Peddie Research reports this surge stems primarily from Windows 10’s end-of-life deadline rather than typical seasonal patterns, reshaping the entire PC industry landscape.
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CPU Shipments Saw Noticeable Growth in Q3 2025
Client CPU shipments grew 2.2% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2025, with annual shipments jumping 13.6% year-over-year. Unlike Q2’s tariff-driven 7.9% spike, Q3’s growth was mostly driven by Windows 10’s October 14, 2025 end-of-support deadline, forcing millions to upgrade hardware.
| Metric | Q2 2025 | Q3 2025 | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| QoQ Growth | +7.9% | +2.2% | Windows 10 EOL |
| YoY Growth | — | +13.6% | Migration + Tariffs |
| Desktop Share | 70% | 70% | Stable demand |
| Laptop Share | 30% | 30% | Consistent market |
| Server CPUs | — | +13-14% YoY | Enterprise upgrades |
Windows 10 End-of-Life Impact
Microsoft’s formal end-of-support date moved households and businesses to evaluate device-level upgrades rather than just OS updates. Windows 11’s strict requirements like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot meant older CPUs couldn’t run the new OS, necessitating complete hardware replacements for millions of users.
Counterpoint estimates roughly 40% of the current PC installed base still runs Windows 10, underscoring how deeply this software transition influences hardware sales. OEMs like Lenovo, HP, and Dell benefited significantly, with Lenovo posting a remarkable 17.4% year-on-year increase.
The Q2 tariff-driven surge had largely worked through channels by Q3, meaning Q3’s growth reflects genuine migration demand rather than panic buying. Learn more about Windows 10 support options on Microsoft’s official page.
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Looking ahead, Q4 growth is expected to moderate as the initial replacement wave subsides, though migration-related demand will continue through 2026 as enterprises complete their refresh cycles.
