Which CPU is Best for Playing Minecraft?

I'd say go with the AMD 9800X3D. It's currently one of the best CPUs for gaming, and while I can't speak for Minecraft specifically, it generally outperforms Intel in gaming scenarios. The single-core performance is important, but for your builds, the 9800X3D might give you the best balance of performance overall.

With mods like Sodium, Minecraft can utilize more cores effectively, and you can push your render distance higher without a huge performance drop. But if you’re only focused on single-core performance for pure Minecraft, I'd still lean towards the 9800X3D for balance in gaming.

I would recommend looking up benchmarks specifically for Minecraft on both CPUs before making a decision. My gut says the AMD might be better long-term, even if the Intel gives you a slight boost since you seem frustrated with Intel's practices lately.

For vanilla Minecraft, you definitely want strong single-core performance. The AMD 9800X3D is a fantastic choice, but keep in mind that Intel usually has an edge with single-core speeds. The i9 14900K can hit up to 6 GHz, whereas the 9800X3D maxes out at 5.2 GHz. However, with its 3D V-cache, the AMD chip could still hold its own in loading data. Both have plenty of cores for modded or multiplayer gameplay, but the 285K isn't designed just for gaming, so it's not as strong as the others.

Honestly, either CPU might be overkill for Minecraft. Just pick the one that's cheaper because both will perform well. If you can snag a good deal on the Intel, that could be worth it since Minecraft won't really tap into the extra power either way.