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Quick Answer
The best CPU for the RTX 4060 Ti is the Intel Core i5-13400F for value or the Ryzen 5 7600 for a modern platform. Both deliver 95%+ of the performance of flagship CPUs with this mid-range GPU. Do not overspend on the CPU for this tier.
The i5-13400F with a B660 DDR4 motherboard is the cheapest viable pairing that extracts full performance from the RTX 4060 Ti. The 6P+4E cores handle every game without bottlenecking at 1080p or 1440p.
If you want AM5 with DDR5 and a future upgrade path, the Ryzen 5 7600 is the entry point. Gaming performance matches the 13400F within margin of error. Platform costs are slightly higher due to DDR5.
The 12400F saves $50 vs the 13400F with 93-95% of the gaming performance. The absolute best value for budget RTX 4060 Ti builds.
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive CPU is 6 fps - not worth $300 more.
The i7-14700K, i9-14900K, and Ryzen 9 7900X are all overkill. The RTX 4060 Ti is the bottleneck in every scenario, so expensive CPUs add nothing. Put that money into the GPU instead.
Our Verdict
The i5-13400F or Ryzen 5 7600 are the smart CPU choices for the RTX 4060 Ti. Any money spent on a more expensive CPU is wasted - put it toward a better GPU or monitor instead.