Best Entry Gaming Setup 2025 – What should you consider?

Building a gaming PC in 2025 has never been more exciting. There are all sorts of advancements in processors, graphics cards, and cooling solutions so you can easily create a powerful rig at an affordable price. Whether you’ll be making a custom built PC or browsing for the best prebuilt gaming computers, you’ll need to know more about the latest hardware trends to make an informed choice. From the latest Ryzen CPUs to the ongoing battle between NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, let’s check out the essential components for the best entry-level gaming setup in 2025.

The New Ryzen CPU

The processor is the brain of your PC, so you’d need the right one in order to have the perfect gaming performance. In 2025, AMD continues to lead the way with its latest Ryzen series which allow you to get lots of computing power at a reasonable price. The top benefits of those CPUs are:

1. Great price-to-performance ratio: AMD’s new lineup comes with multi-core performance and high speeds, so it’s ideal for gaming and multitasking, yet, the price is quite reasonable for entry-level gaming.
2. Superior power efficiency: The latest Ryzen CPUs have an advanced 5nm architecture which allows them to run cooler and consume less power than previous generations.
3. Compatibility with DDR5 and PCIe 5.0: These new CPUs support the latest technologies, so your custom build PC will be a great setup for years to come.

Best Ryzen CPUs for entry-level gaming

Some of the best options you have out there are:

• Ryzen 5 7600X: A solid 6-core processor, perfect for 1080p and 1440p custom build.
• Ryzen 5 5600: Ideal for gamers who also stream their play.
• Ryzen 7 5700G: A budget-friendly APU with amazing integrated Radeon graphics for those who want to game without a dedicated GPU.

If you’re considering a best prebuilt gaming PC, many manufacturers are now including Ryzen CPUs due to their excellent performance and lower cost compared to Intel alternatives.

New NVIDIA vs. AMD Graphics Cards – what to choose?

One of the biggest debates in the gaming community is whether to go with an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card. Both brands have made huge improvements in 2025 but let’s check what they can offer.

NVIDIA pros and cons

Let’s get started with NVIDIA:

1. Wonderful performance with DLSS: Allows for great upscaling and significantly boosts the 4K experience in supported games.
2. Ray tracing performance: NVIDIA is still the leader when it comes to real-time ray tracing.
3. Better driver optimization: NVIDIA drivers tend to be more stable and optimized for new games.
4. More expensive: Yet, the thing is that those graphics cards cost more even for similar performance.

AMD pros and cons

1. Better price-to-performance ratio: AMD offers a wonderful performance and power for the same price.
2. Quite good upscaling: Here AMD manages to compete quite well with NVIDIA’s DLSS, yet there’s still more to be wanted.
3. Better software: AMD gives you everything you’d need in one program which allows you to customize your play with more ease.
4. Ray tracing still lags behind: While improving, AMD’s ray tracing performance is not as strong as NVIDIA’s.

Best entry-level GPUs for custom PC build

Some of your best opportunities here include:

1. NVIDIA RTX 4070: With high frame rates its great for 1080p gaming.
2. AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT: Allows for better performance for the price and comes with more VRAM.
3. AMD Radeon RX 7600: A solid mid-range card with excellent ray tracing capabilities.

If you’re going with a custom build PC, you have more flexibility in choosing the GPU that fits your budget. However, if you’re looking for the best prebuilt gaming PC, many brands now offer AMD-powered options for a better price and a great performance.

What is the best cooling system – AIO or air?

When it comes to a custom build PC, one of the most important things to consider is the cooling system because it directly affects both the performance, and the durability of the components. If there’s any overheating, then the overall gaming experience will definitely not be as good as possible. And among the most common questions here is whether you should use AIO or air cooling. Let’s get some answers.

Air cooling

A reliable and budget-friendly option, if offers the following pros and cons for your custom build:

Pros:

1. Lower cost compared to AIO cooling solutions.
2. No risk of leaks.
3. Long lifespan with minimal maintenance.

Cons:

1. Quite bulky.
2. Less effective for high-end gaming rigs.

AIO water cooling

Despite its generally higher price, in 2025 the AIO cooling system is more affordable than ever. A few years ago, AIO liquid coolers were expensive and considered an overkill for a budget custom PC build. Now, though, their prices have dropped significantly, making them an attractive option even for entry-level setups.

Pros:

1. Better cooling efficiency.
2. Compact design, freeing up space inside the case.
3. Quieter work compared to air coolers.

Cons:

1. Potential for leaks (though rare with modern AIOs).
2. Requires occasional maintenance to avoid pump failure.

For those buying a prebuilt gaming computer, most modern models come with an AIO cooler pre-installed, ensuring good cooling performance right out of the box.

Building the best entry gaming setup in 2025

When building or buying a custom build PC, selecting the right components is what gives you the best experience. Here’s some final tips:

1. Choose a Ryzen CPU: Ryzen 5 offers great performance for an entry-level build.
2. Pick the right GPU: NVIDIA for better ray tracing and DLSS, AMD for superior price-to-performance.
3. Invest in a good cooling system: AIO water cooling is more affordable than ever and has proved to be much more efficient.
4. Future-proof your built: Look for DDR5 RAM support, PCIe 5.0 compatibility, and sufficient VRAM so that your computer can support upcoming games.

If you prefer a prebuilt computer, search for one that comes with a Ryzen CPU and a solid cooling solution.

Now you’re ready to build or buy the perfect custom computer for gaming in 2025. Whether you’re playing at 1080p, 1440p, or even experimenting with 4K, the right setup will allow you to achieve an immersive gaming experience without too many expenses.