Help Me Choose the Right CPU for My New PC Build

Hey everyone! I'm in the process of building a new PC and looking to upgrade from my old setup that's nearly 14 years old. I'm mainly going to use this new rig for gaming, but I also do some animation work with Adobe programs like Photoshop, After Effects, and Premiere. Occasionally, I might dabble with 3D modeling in Blender, but that's not a priority.

Right now, I'm focusing on selecting a CPU and motherboard first. I've been considering the Ryzen 9 9950x3D and 9 9900x3D, but I'm looking for some advice to understand the differences better.

I heard that the main difference between Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 is the core count. For my use, is it worth investing in more cores, or is that overkill? Also, what exactly do the numbers like 9950 and 9900 represent compared to something lower like the 7950x3D?

Does the x3D designation mean it has better memory for gaming, and how would that impact my use of Adobe software? Lastly, I'd like to know if there's anything about the higher-end CPUs that might not be applicable for my needs, so I don't waste money. Appreciate any tips or insights you have!