I'm looking for something that can run Poe 2 buttery smooth.
I've heard that intel have been having some problems lately and Ryzen is the way to go right now.
My budget: $4k USD (This needs to cover peripherals too)
I don't need a lot of storage 1 TB should suffice.
I want either the Ryzen 9 9950X3D or Ryzen 7 9800X3D cpu.
From what I've read the 9800 is better for gaming.
The 9950 has more cores though and I want to be able to run a VM while gaming.
https://pcpartpicker.com/Both of those CPUs will be fine. They are top of the line.
I'd recommend building a excel or PC Part Picker list and include all peripherals that you need so you can have a better look at the big picture.
You'll want to determine what kind of monitor (1080p, 1440p, 4k) and how many to help determine GPU.
You'll want to think about what you value and prioritize - basic case, all glass, funky form factor, RGB or not, etc. 4k is plenty for a more than capable new build.