Gaming Hardware in 2025: Consoles, Handhelds, and PC Power

Written By Ryan Hayden

Introduction

2025 has been a transformative year for gaming hardware. From record-breaking console launches to premium handhelds and cutting-edge PC components, players now have more options than ever to tailor their gaming experiences. For me, PC is the heart of my gaming setup, delivering raw performance and customization. My Steam Deck serves as a portable extension of that library, while my PS5 is reserved for exclusives that cannot be played anywhere else. This balance lets me experience the best of all worlds, and I am already planning my next upgrade in the new year.

PC Hardware: My Primary Platform

On the PC side, Thermalright launched the AT 1650 Titanium PSU, a flagship 1650W unit with 80 PLUS Titanium certification, modular cabling, and dual 12V 2×6 GPU connectors (Thermalright, 2025; Vortez, 2025). This power supply can even handle dual RTX 5090 GPUs, underscoring how far PC builds have scaled.

My own rig, powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 7600 and NVIDIA RTX 5080, is where I spend most of my gaming time. With 64 GB RAM, a 1.8 TB SSD, and dual displays, it is built for uncompromised performance. Whether I am exploring open-world RPGs or testing ray tracing in the latest shooters, PC remains my daily driver, the platform where I push visuals, mods, and multitasking to the limit.

That said, I am already looking ahead: in the new year, I plan to upgrade my CPU to ensure my system keeps pace with next-gen titles and creative workloads. Given my RTX 5080, the best pairing would be either the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D or the Ryzen 9 7950X3D, both of which leverage 3D V‑Cache for exceptional gaming performance. These CPUs would eliminate potential bottlenecks and maximize the GPU’s capabilities.

Steam Deck: Portability Without Compromise

Microsoft and ASUS may have positioned the ROG Ally X as the “luxury handheld” (ROG Global, 2025; Times of India, 2025), but my Steam Deck is the device I rely on for portable gaming. It is not as powerful as the Ally X, but it integrates seamlessly with my PC library, letting me take my games anywhere.

For me, the Steam Deck is the second tier of my setup, perfect for travel, couch gaming, or quick sessions away from my desk. It is flexible and moddable, and it keeps me connected to my central platform without requiring a console ecosystem.

PlayStation 5 Pro: Exclusives Only

Sony’s PS5 Pro, launched in 2024, saw a price increase in August 2025, rising from $699 to $749 in the U.S. (PlayStation Blog, 2025; Koepp, 2025). Despite the hike, the Pro remains the most powerful console available, offering 67% more GPU compute units, advanced ray tracing, and AI-driven upscaling (Kotaku, 2025).

For me, though, the PS5 is strictly an exclusives machine. Titles like Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy XVI, and Horizon Forbidden West are worth booting up the console for, but otherwise, my PC covers everything else. The PS5 Pro’s enhancements are impressive, but they do not replace the flexibility and raw power of my PC setup.

Nintendo Switch 2: A Record-Breaking Launch

Nintendo’s Switch 2, released in June 2025, quickly became the fastest-selling console in history, moving more than 3.5 million units in its first four days (Nintendo Switch 2, 2025; The Verge, 2025). With 4K/60 FPS docked performance and exclusives like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, it is a major player in the handheld space (Empire Online, 2025).

While I do not currently own one, I am planning to get a Switch 2 for my wife. It feels like the perfect console for casual, family-friendly gaming while still offering blockbuster exclusives. For me, it complements my Steam Deck, one focused on flexibility, the other on polished Nintendo experiences.

Conclusion

From the record-breaking Switch 2 to the premium PS5 Pro and ROG Ally X handheld, 2025 has been a year of hardware breakthroughs. However, in my setup, the hierarchy is clear:

  • PC is my central platform, where I game daily and push performance.

  • Steam Deck is my portable companion, extending my PC library.

  • PS5 is reserved for exclusives only, filling the gaps that PC cannot.

  • And soon, a Switch 2 for my wife will add another dimension to our household gaming.

With a CPU upgrade planned for the new year, likely a Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Ryzen 9 7950X3D, my PC will continue to evolve as the centerpiece of my gaming life, ensuring I stay ahead of the curve as hardware keeps advancing.

References

Ryan Hayden
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