ionz KZ22 Gaming PC Review: i5‑12400F + RTX 4060 – Worth It?

 Stepping into the realm of mid‑range gaming PCs, the ionz KZ22 build promises to strike an enticing balance between price, performance and aesthetics. At its heart lies Intel’s 12th‑generation Core i5‑12400F processor paired with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and it arrives pre‑built in ionz’s sleek black KZ22 chassis. Boasting 16 GB of RGB‑lit DDR4 memory, a 1 TB NVMe SSD, Wi‑Fi connectivity and Windows 11 out of the box, it targets gamers who demand solid 1080p performance without venturing into the lofty price brackets of high‑end rigs. Priced at around £749.95, it undercuts many branded systems while offering largely the same core components.

Design and Build Quality

From the outside, the KZ22 case presents a minimalist, almost stealth‑fighter aesthetic. Its matte black steel panels and tempered‑glass side window allow a tasteful view of the interior, where the RGB RAM modules add a touch of flair. The front panel’s mesh intake balances airflow with understated style, and the removable dust filters feel sturdy—no flimsy plastic here. Internally, cable management is handled competently, with most cables neatly routed behind the motherboard tray. The 120 mm air cooler atop the CPU is modest but blends seamlessly with the overall build, avoiding any gaudy tower‑fan protrusions. Overall, the KZ22 chassis feels solid and well‑put‑together, with none of the rattles or misaligned panels sometimes found in budget pre‑builts.

Core Components

• Processor: Intel Core i5‑12400F
  Six performance cores clocked between 2.5 GHz and 4.4 GHz, offering excellent single‑threaded speed for gaming and enough multi‑threaded grunt for content creation.

• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
  Built on the Ada Lovelace architecture with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, hardware‑accelerated ray tracing and support for DLSS 3.0.

• Memory: 16 GB DDR4 RGB (2 × 8 GB, 3200 MHz)
  A sweet spot for gaming; enough capacity for multitasking and streaming without the premium of 32 GB kits.

• Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD
  PCIe 3.0 speeds deliver around 3,500 MB/s read speeds, slashing load times in large titles and Windows boot times.

• Cooling: 120 mm air cooler
  A compact solution that keeps the i5‑12400F within safe operating temperatures under gaming loads.

• Power Supply: 500 W 80+ Bronze
  Sufficient to handle the i5‑12400F and RTX 4060 combo, albeit with limited headroom for major future upgrades.

• Connectivity: Built‑in 802.11ac Wi‑Fi, gigabit Ethernet, multiple USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 ports, DisplayPort and HDMI outputs.

• Operating System: Windows 11 Home pre‑installed.

Gaming Performance

Out of the box, this rig excels at 1080p gaming. Across a suite of modern AAA titles on Ultra settings without ray tracing, you can expect averages north of 100 fps. For instance, TechSpot’s benchmarks found the RTX 4060 delivering around 108 fps on average at Full HD in popular titles. Dive into esports titles like Fortnite or CS:GO, and frame rates can easily top 200 fps, making the most of 144 Hz monitors for silky‑smooth gameplay. When you switch on ray tracing in demanding games such as Cyberpunk 2077, enabling DLSS Quality mode brings performance back into the comfortable 60–70 fps range. In short, the KZ22 platform confidently handles current and near‑future 1080p gaming, with enough power for occasional 1440p play at tuned‑down settings.

Productivity and Content Creation

Beyond gaming, the six‑core i5‑12400F flexes its muscles in productivity tasks. Photo editing in Photoshop, light video rendering in Premiere Pro and multitasking with browser tabs plus streaming software all feel responsive. While it won’t rival an 8‑ or 12‑core CPU in heavy video‑editing workloads, it provides an upgrade path if you ever decide to add a dedicated content‑creation GPU or bump the memory to 32 GB. The NVMe SSD ensures quick project load times and snappy system responsiveness, ideal for creators juggling multiple large files.

Thermals and Noise

Thermal performance on the stock 120 mm cooler is impressively tame. Under extended gaming sessions, CPU temperatures hover around 65–70 °C, while GPU peaks sit near 75 °C—well within safe limits. The case’s airflow design aids in exhausting heat efficiently, and the dust filters help maintain long‑term cleanliness. Noise levels remain modest: the CPU fan only ramps above a gentle hum during peak loads, and the RTX 4060’s dual‑fan setup is similarly unobtrusive. In short, the KZ22 strikes a nice balance between keeping cool and keeping quiet.

Upgradability

One of the strengths of this build is its clear upgrade path. The motherboard includes DDR4 slots (two free DIMM slots if you choose to populate all four), M.2 slots for additional NVMe SSDs and SATA ports for extra storage. The 500 W PSU, while adequate for the current configuration, may need to be swapped out if you plan on adding a more power‑hungry GPU or multiple drives. Cable management space behind the tray and a roomy chassis interior make future component swaps or custom‑loop water‑cooling implementations relatively straightforward.

Software and Support

Arriving with a clean Windows 11 install, the only notable bundled software is a driver‑download utility and basic system monitoring tool. This contrasts favourably with many pre‑builts that bombard you with bloatware. ionz offers a standard one‑year warranty on parts and labour, with options to extend at checkout. Their UK‑based support team typically responds within 24 hours, and online resources include setup guides and FAQs.

Value Proposition

At approximately £749.95, the KZ22 sits squarely in the sweet spot for mid‑range gaming PCs. Comparable systems from major OEMs often charge a premium for the same CPU‑GPU pairing, bumping into the £850–£900 bracket. With ionz’s emphasis on non‑proprietary parts, easy‑to‑service case design and minimal bloatware, you get a no‑nonsense package that punches above its weight. Factoring in performance, build quality and support, it offers excellent bang for your buck.

Final Thoughts

The ionz KZ22 build presents a compelling choice for gamers and casual content creators seeking robust 1080p performance in a clean, upgradable package. Its Intel Core i5‑12400F and RTX 4060 combination handles today’s titles with ease and provides a measure of future‑proofing for upcoming releases. With thoughtful design, respectable thermals, quiet operation and a wallet‑friendly price point, it’s hard not to recommend this system as a turnkey solution. Whether you’re taking your first step into PC gaming or seeking a hassle‑free upgrade, the ionz KZ22 delivers solid performance, aesthetic appeal and value – all wrapped up in a stylish black chassis.