7800X3D - PC refresh advice

[enemyofdone]

I'm in the middle of a PC refresh. I've already upgraded the following:

• 1080ti => 4090
• 650W PSU => 1200W PSU
  • Yes this was overkill but I got a good deal on a highly rated Thermaltake unit. However, I regret it because it sometimes trips my 1500VA UPS

 

Next I want to upgrade my CPU/RAM/MOBO. I'm looking at the higher end of things so I can set-it-and-forget-it for several years (hence 1080ti => 4090). I play modern games at 4k/ultra on a 144hz monitor (Cyberpunk for example, but I'm looking to pick up Starfield next). I also occasionally transcode media when I bulk-process blu-rays and DVDs into my media library.

 

 

I delayed upgrading the CPU until 14th gen core launched. I figured the 14th gen might be compelling, or 13th gen would get cheaper. Now that it's launched and cyber Monday is here I figured I should commit to a CPU.

 

Any recs? It seems like everyone is in love with the 7800X3D. Low TDP, great performance in games, and a competitive price make it seem like a great idea. Am I missing something, or is that the obvious get? I loved my intel 8086K so I was ready to go with the known-element of team blue, but some of these performance graphs make that seem like a mistake (GN CPU vid). I know it'll be slower to transcode media than some of the intel chips, but I care more about gaming performance.

 

I'll look into RAM/MOBO after I figure out the CPU. Man, RAM isn't as easy to shop for as it was in DDR3/DDR4 days...

 

TIA,

EOD