I noticed today that a 9175F was in the $2000s down from a $4000s MSRP. I still can't justify buying one when a 9950x3d is more performant and <1/3rd price, even though the epyc has more PCIe lanes.

It's my first time contemplating getting a server CPU, so I assumed the insane markups were the same story as with Lenovo laptops, or Advance Auto parts or McDonald's meals--that nobody pays those prices, unless you're a sucker.