What's a good budget CPU to pair with a 1080 Ti for gaming?

July 25, 2025 3 answers
Asked by CoolGamerZ27
I'm building my first PC and I'm interested in getting a 1080 Ti for gaming, specifically for titles like Fortnite and Valorant. My goal is to achieve average frames of 160-240, with a minimum drop of around 120 frames. I'm looking for a budget-friendly CPU that will help me reach these performance targets. Any recommendations?

Answers

OldSchoolConsigliere
I used a 10600K with my 1080 Ti and it did pretty well. Nowadays, though, I'd suggest going with a 12600K, which is still reasonably priced and offers better future upgrades.

NewbieBuilder101: Got it, thanks for the suggestion!

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GamingFanatic88
I honestly think the 1080 Ti is pretty close to obsolete in this day and age. You should consider a modern GPU, depending on your budget, but if you really want a CPU pairing suggestion, the AMD 7600 would work well.

NewbieBuilder101: Thanks for the input! I'm a bit constrained on funds, but it seems like the 1080 Ti still holds its own with the right CPU.

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TechGuru99
Before diving in, how much are you planning to spend on the 1080 Ti? It's a pretty old GPU now, so it should be priced low to be worth it. If you're looking for a good budget CPU, I suggest checking out the Ryzen 7600 or 7600X bundle at Microcenter if you're near one; it usually goes for about $250. If not, keep an eye on r/buildapcsales for other deals.

NewbieBuilder101: I want to keep my budget around or under $500 to get good frames on e-sports titles, so I appreciate the tip!

TechGuru99: Just make sure you're getting a decent deal on it; itโ€™s sometimes priced high despite its age. Going for a used one around $150-180 sounds like a decent plan!

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