Building a PC in 2025? There are a lot of mistakes you could make—some parts just aren’t worth buying. In this guide, we’ll help you make the best choices for your budget, covering CPUs, GPUs, RAM and SSDs. Let’s dive in!
CPU
- Intel 14th Gen & Core Ultra CPUs
If you’re thinking about buying an Intel Core Ultra CPU, think again. While these processors focus on efficiency, their performance has taken a hit—except for the Ultra 285K, which stands out in multi-core workloads.
Compared to AMD’s Ryzen chips, Intel’s Core Ultra CPUs simply don’t offer good value. If you’re looking for the best performance for your money, AMD is the better option in 2025.
GPU
- Avoid GPUs with Only 8GB VRAM
VRAM is becoming more important in modern gaming. Games like Hogwarts Legacy show a clear difference between 8GB and 12GB VRAM models, with the latter unlocking higher frame rates.
This doesn’t mean you need the most expensive GPU, but if you’re choosing between two models at a similar price, prioritize more VRAM for future-proofing your build.
- Disclaimer: This advice is strictly for gamers. You don’t need to future-proof every component, but where possible, VRAM is one area that’s worth maximizing.
RAM: Choosing the Right Memory
- Avoid DDR4 – It’s Outdated
In 2025, DDR4 is fading out. New CPUs from Intel and AMD are optimized for DDR5, and DDR4-compatible motherboards are becoming rare. Choosing DDR4 now means locking yourself into an outdated platform with no future upgrade path.
What to Buy Instead
- For Gaming: 32GB RAM is the new baseline.
- For Content Creation: 48GB, 64GB, or even 128GB for video editing and rendering.
DDR5 Specs to Look For:
- Speed: 6000MHz (MT/s) or higher
- CAS Latency (CL): Around 30 for best performance
DDR5 prices have dropped significantly, making high-speed kits the best choice for any new build
SSD
- Avoid SATA SSDs as Primary Storage
While SATA SSDs are still fine for secondary storage, using one as your main drive will bottleneck performance. Even a Gen 3 NVMe SSD is significantly faster.
What to Buy Instead
- Budget Builds: Gen 4 NVMe SSDs (affordable & fast)
- High-End Builds: Gen 5 SSDs (overkill for gaming but great for professional workloads)
Faster storage means faster boot times, game load times, and overall system responsiveness.
Final Thoughts: Build Smarter in 2025!
By avoiding outdated or low-value components, you’ll get the most out of your PC build in 2025.
What do you think? Are you building a PC soon? Get in touch with us — we’ve got you covered!
