$1300 12TH GEN DELIGHT

FROM INTEL’S NEW 12th-generation line-up of chips, the i5-12400 doesn’t initially appear to be the pick of the bunch. Following our recent i9-12900K build, it doesn’t quite have the credentials to match that model. But does it have enough oomph to push out solid 1080p gaming with the sliders cranked up? Building inside Corsair’s impressive 275R Airflow case should help show it off—we may be overdoing the white cases of late, but we’ve had some slick ones we just couldn’t ignore.

For this build, we have more than doubled our previous $600 budget. With the bar now set at $1300, we are looking for the best