Just returned my i9 13900k to intel
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Either I gotta buy another intel proc which I don't feel wonderful about.

or

Can someone suggest to me an comparable setup to i9 13900k

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mobo
64gb ddr5
amd proc (as good as i9 13900k)

7800X3D is still the goat for games, until they release a X3D version of the latest gen. It's also cheaper than 13700K.
You can usually find decent motherboard+cpu deals at microcenter and similar stores.

Life is too short to buy faulty-from-factory Intel garbage. Hopefully their future gens are better. Oof

If you're just looking for comparable gaming performance, 7800X3D for sure.

This

is the 7800 as good as the i9 13900k outside of games? or at least smooth enough for me to not notice?

I believe the 13900k beats out the 7800 outside games, but I’m sure you won’t notice it

Really depends on what you plan on doing. Just doing normal everyday things, you won't notice.