PC gaming in 2025 offers incredible experiences, but getting the most out of your hardware requires the right software. From game launchers and performance optimization to streaming and communication tools, this guide covers everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
Whether you’re building your first gaming PC or optimizing an existing rig, these tools will help you play better, stream smoother, and connect with fellow gamers.
Game Launchers & Storefronts
Steam – The Essential Platform
Steam remains the heart of PC gaming with over 50,000 games, excellent sales, and unmatched community features. Cloud saves keep your progress synced across devices, and Steam Workshop makes modding easy.
Key features:
- Massive game library with regular sales
- Cloud saves across all devices
- Steam Workshop for mods
- Remote Play for streaming to other devices
- Proton for Windows games on Linux
- Steam Deck compatibility
Epic Games Launcher – Free Games Weekly
Epic gives away free games every Thursday – and we’re talking quality titles worth $30-60. Over a year, you can build a library worth hundreds of dollars. Plus, exclusive titles and competitive pricing make it worth installing.
Why you need it: The free games alone justify installation. Past giveaways include GTA V, Civilization VI, and Control.
GOG Galaxy – DRM-Free Gaming
GOG offers DRM-free games you actually own – no launcher required to play. GOG Galaxy also unifies your game libraries from Steam, Epic, and more into one interface.
Best for: Gamers who want to own their games outright without DRM restrictions.
Xbox App – Game Pass PC
Xbox Game Pass PC offers hundreds of games for a monthly subscription, including day-one access to Microsoft exclusives. The Xbox app manages downloads, updates, and achievements.
Value proposition: At $10/month, playing just one new game makes it worthwhile.
Performance & Optimization
NVIDIA GeForce Experience
For NVIDIA GPU owners, GeForce Experience automatically optimizes game settings based on your hardware. It also handles driver updates, game recording, and NVIDIA features like DLSS and RTX.
Key features:
- Automatic game optimization
- Driver updates with one click
- ShadowPlay for recording and streaming
- NVIDIA Highlights capture
- Game filters for visual adjustments
AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
AMD’s equivalent for Radeon GPU users includes game optimization, driver management, and AMD features like FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) and Radeon Anti-Lag.
MSI Afterburner – GPU Monitoring & Overclocking
MSI Afterburner works with any GPU brand for monitoring temperatures, clock speeds, and usage. It also enables safe overclocking to squeeze more performance from your graphics card.
Essential for: Monitoring temps during gaming and optimizing GPU performance.
HWiNFO – Complete System Monitoring
HWiNFO provides detailed information about every component in your system. Monitor temperatures, voltages, and performance metrics for CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage.
Game Recording & Streaming
OBS Studio – Professional Streaming
OBS Studio is the standard for game streaming and recording. Stream to Twitch, YouTube, or any platform while recording locally. Unlimited recording, scene composition, and extensive plugin support – all free.
Key features:
- Stream and record simultaneously
- Multiple scenes and sources
- Audio mixing and filters
- Plugin ecosystem
- Virtual camera output
NVIDIA ShadowPlay
Built into GeForce Experience, ShadowPlay records gameplay with minimal performance impact using your GPU’s encoder. Instant Replay captures the last 30 seconds – perfect for saving unexpected moments.
Xbox Game Bar (Windows)
Built into Windows, Game Bar (Win+G) offers quick recording, screenshots, and performance monitoring without installing anything extra. It’s not as powerful as OBS but handles basic needs.
Communication & Social
Discord – Gaming Communication Hub
Discord has become essential for gaming communication. Voice chat with friends, join game communities, stream to small groups, and organize with text channels. Free with no user limits.
Gaming features:
- Low-latency voice chat
- Screen sharing and Go Live streaming
- Game activity and rich presence
- Server communities for every game
- Overlay while gaming
TeamSpeak – Low-Latency Voice
For competitive gaming where every millisecond matters, TeamSpeak offers lower latency than Discord. Self-hosted servers give complete control, and the new TeamSpeak 5 modernizes the experience.
Game Utilities
Playnite – Universal Game Library
Playnite unifies all your game libraries – Steam, Epic, GOG, Origin, Ubisoft Connect, and more – into one interface. Browse your entire collection in one place with a clean UI and controller support.
DS4Windows – Controller Support
Use PlayStation controllers (DualShock 4, DualSense) on PC with full support for touchpad, gyro, and all buttons. Map controls however you want and use on games that don’t natively support PlayStation controllers.
WeMod – Single-Player Game Trainers
WeMod provides cheats and trainers for single-player games – infinite health, unlimited money, etc. Perfect for making difficult games accessible or having fun after finishing legitimately.
Note: Only for single-player games. Never use in multiplayer.
System Utilities for Gaming
7-Zip – Extract Game Files
Many mods and game files come in archives. 7-Zip handles ZIP, RAR, 7z, and every other format you’ll encounter. Fast, free, and essential.
Everything – Instant File Search
Find any file on your PC instantly. Locate save games, config files, or mods in milliseconds instead of waiting for Windows Search.
Borderless Gaming – Better Windowed Mode
Force games into borderless windowed mode for easier alt-tabbing while keeping the fullscreen appearance. Useful for games that don’t offer the option natively.
Benchmarking & Testing
3DMark – GPU Benchmarking
3DMark is the standard for GPU benchmarking. Compare your system against others, test stability after overclocking, and see how hardware changes affect performance.
UserBenchmark – Quick System Test
Get a quick overview of how your components perform compared to others. Useful for identifying bottlenecks or verifying new hardware is working correctly.
CapFrameX – Frame Time Analysis
For detailed performance analysis, CapFrameX captures frame times and generates detailed charts. See exactly where stutters occur and compare performance across different settings.
VR Gaming
SteamVR
SteamVR provides the platform for VR gaming on PC, supporting major headsets including Valve Index, HTC Vive, and others. Access VR games and manage your headset from here.
Virtual Desktop
Stream VR games wirelessly to standalone headsets like Quest 2/3. Play PC VR games without being tethered by a cable.
Building Your Gaming Software Stack
Essential (Install First)
- Steam – Primary game platform
- Epic Games Launcher – Claim free games
- Discord – Communication
- GPU Software – GeForce Experience or AMD Adrenalin
Recommended
- MSI Afterburner – Monitor GPU temp/usage
- OBS Studio – Recording and streaming
- 7-Zip – File extraction
- GOG Galaxy – Library unification
Nice to Have
- Playnite – Universal launcher
- HWiNFO – Detailed monitoring
- DS4Windows – PlayStation controller support
- Game Bar – Quick recording (built into Windows)
Tips for Optimal Gaming
Keep Drivers Updated
New GPU drivers often include optimizations and bug fixes for recent games. Update before playing new releases for best performance.
Manage Background Apps
Close unnecessary programs while gaming to free up RAM and CPU resources. Check your system tray for apps running in the background.
Organize Your Library
With games spread across multiple launchers, use collections, categories, or Playnite to keep track of what you own and what you’re playing.
Enable Game Mode (Windows)
Windows Game Mode prioritizes gaming performance and prevents Windows Update from restarting during play. Enable it in Settings > Gaming.
Conclusion
The right software transforms your gaming experience. Steam and Discord are non-negotiable, GPU software keeps your drivers current, and tools like OBS open up streaming possibilities. Most of what you need is free – the gaming community has created excellent open-source alternatives to expensive commercial software.
Start with the essentials, then add tools as you need them. Don’t install everything at once; a clean system performs better. Game on!
