The newest Intel 4-core CPUs don't overclock better simply because all of them are locked. The lowest modern K CPU has 6 performance cores, and if you are lucky, it will pass 6GHz, the same as the highest K/KS. However, the average i9 overclocks much better.
The problem with cores is that the OS runs a lot of tasks in the background when games still typically use 2-4 threads (each year are more modern titles that can use 8+ cores). No matter what you do, the reasonable minimum from available options seems 6c/12t. Again ... if you pick Intel CPU, then you get e-cores, so it will be 10 cores minimum.
Because of the modern CPU design, I feel like AMD is a better option for gaming. It's not that Intel performs worse (as it sometimes performs better), but AMD does the same job at a 30-100% lower wattage. Compare 7800X3D with 14600K and you will know what I mean.
