If you want to eliminate stutters with a 4090 at 4K, the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core 16-Thread 5.0GHz Desktop Processor remains the objective choice for gaming. Even tho 4K is mostly GPU-bound, the massive L3 cache on the X3D chips handles frame timing much better than standard processors. It basically fixes that hitching issue by smoothing out the 1% lows. I have run this exact setup for months and it stays solid. Since you are hitting Micro Center, look for their bundle deals. They usually package that CPU with a solid motherboard and G.Skill Flare X5 Series 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory for way less than buying parts separately. Quick tip tho: make sure your BIOS is updated to handle the voltage on those X3D chips. Stick with the 7800X3D over the 7950X3D for pure gaming... it avoids the scheduling headaches of the dual-CCD chips.

To add to the point above: i have been very satisfied with the stability of the AM5 platform recently. It works well for high-refresh 4K gaming, especially when paired with a 4090. Before you make the trip to Micro Center, could you clarify if you do any production work or streaming alongside gaming? This makes a big difference in whether you should stick to 8 cores or jump to a 12 or 16-core part.

• Update your motherboard BIOS immediately to the latest AGESA version for the best X3D voltage management.
• Match your CPU with a high-performance kit like the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 for optimal stability. If the usual suspect is out of stock, the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D 12-Core 24-Thread 5.6GHz Desktop Processor is a strong alternative that often sits right at your price point. It features the same 3D V-Cache technology on one of its chiplets, which helps smooth out those annoying stutters you're seeing. I have no complaints with the 7000-series frame pacing; it handles the 4090 throughput much better than older architectures. Make sure you also pick up a high-end board like the ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi Motherboard to ensure you have full PCIe 5.0 support for your storage and GPU. Honestly, once you see the 1% lows on these chips, you wont want to go back.