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Jacob Roach

Jacob Roach

Lead Reporter, PC Hardware

Jacob Roach is the lead reporter for PC hardware at Digital Trends. In addition to covering the latest PC components, from graphics cards to processors to PC cases, Jacob also writes the ReSpec column and newsletter that covers the intersection of PC hardware and gaming. If it's something you can plug into a gaming PC, there's a good chance Jacob has used it.

Although Jacob is interested in just about anything in or around a PC, he's currently reporting on graphics cards, PC game optimization, and gaming monitors. At Digital Trends, he's dug deep on the untold origins of the Steam Deck, uncovered the truth behind poor PC port optimization, and broke the story on Microsoft's Bing Chat going off the rails.

Before joining Digital Trends, Jacob contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and PC Invasion, among various other outlets. Jacob has been a guest on TWiT and NBC, and his work has been cited in Fox News, Futurism, and Business Insider.

As if tinkering with the latest PC hardware wasn't enough, Jacob spends most of his free time living the PC gamer life he writes about so frequently. That includes playing the latest games, but also poking around on his PC to see what he can break, just to see how it works. When he gets a moment to step outside and "touch grass," Jacob enjoys tabletop games, wandering the shops of St. Louis, and forcing his lazy Corgi onto walks.

Intel Arc A770 GPU installed in a test bench.

Intel Battlemage GPU: everything we know so far

We've known about Intel's Battlemage graphics cards for a few years, but as they're getting closer to launch, more details begin to emerge.
Computing Guides
The PS5 Pro suspended in air.

I have a theory on how the PS5 Pro could actually outclass PCs

The PS5 Pro is arriving in just a few days, and based on some comments made by Sony, it might outclass a PC in one way.
Computing Features
A hand holding the Samsung 990 Pro SSD.

Samsung 990 Pro 2TB review: stupid fast

The Samsung 990 Pro is insanely fast, and it comes with a swath of features. If you're looking for a PS5 SSD, however, you're not seeing the best of the drive.
Computing Reviews
The Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP playing Cyberpunk 2077.

Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDP review: OLED hits its stride

Asus has its first dual mode OLED monitor, and it's easily the best version of this display that we've seen so far.
Computing Reviews
Nvidia's A100 data center GPU.

Your next gaming PC could be fully built by Nvidia

According to a new report, Nvidia is planning on launching Arm-based CPUs and GPUs for Windows PCs next year.
Computing News
Intel Core i5-13600K installed in a motherboard.

The best Intel processors for 2024

Intel's best processors might pull a lot of power, but they're also super powerful. Here are the best Intel CPUs to buy in 2024.
Computing Best Ofs
google chrome automatic tab groups featured

This underrated Google Chrome feature turned me into a power user

I don't like it when a browser gets in my way, but a relatively new feature in Chrome has completely changed how I browse.
Computing Features
Pads on the AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D is official, and it shakes things up in a big way

After a long string of rumors and speculation, AMD has finally confirmed that the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is arriving next week. Here are the details.
Computing News
Google logo at the company's campus in California.

Russia’s fine of Google amounts to 23,809,523 times all of the money that exists on Earth

The Russian government says Google owes it $2.5 decillion in fines, or about 23 million times all of the money that exists on Earth.
Computing News
The Core Ultra 9 285K socketed into a motherboard.

5 CPUs you should buy instead of the Core Ultra 9 285K

Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K is an impressive CPU, but there are several alternatives that are both faster and cheaper.
Computing Features
intel core ultra 5 245k review 4

Intel Core Ultra 5 245K review: where Arrow Lake breaks down

The Core Ultra 5 245K should be a value-focused midrange CPU, but it fails to deliver even a generational improvement over Intel's last-gen options.
Computing Reviews
AMD logo on the RX 7800 XT graphics card.

AMD could swipe some of the best features of Nvidia GPUs

AMD is looking into new techniques for upscaling and denoising, possibly gearing up for the release of the next version of FSR.
Computing News
Combat in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a breath of fresh air on PC

I assumed Dragon Age: The Veilguard would have problems on PC, but I'm very happy to report that I was wrong.
Computing Features
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D installed in a motherboard.

AMD CPUs just got a major performance update for games

A string of motherboard updates are rolling out that promise higher gaming performance on AMD CPUs, with boosts of up to 35%.
Computing News
The back of the Core Ultra 9 285K CPU.

The death of Moore’s Law is finally starting to stink

The idea of Moore's Law has been a topic of debate for years, but we're finally starting to see the decline of pure PC hardware innovation.
Computing Features
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D installed in a motherboard.

The best processors in 2024: AMD and Intel CPUs duke it out

The best processors include options from AMD and Intel, but only a select few are worth your time. Here are the best CPUs to consider for your next build.
Computing Best Ofs
Fingers holding an Intel 285K.

I tested the Core Ultra 9 285K against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — and it’s ugly

Intel's new Core Ultra 9 285K is an impressive CPU, but it faces stiff competition from the last-gen Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Computing Features
The Core Ultra 9 285K socketed into a motherboard.

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K review: impressive, not necessarily good

Intel's Core Ultra 9 285K is an undeniably impressive CPU, but it's still tough to recommend given some inconsistent performance.
Computing Reviews
A color splash on the LG UltraGear Dual Mode OLED.

OLED monitors are about to get a ‘comprehensive breakthrough’ in image quality

TCL says it has made comprehensive breakthroughs in image quality and lifespan for OLED monitors and laptops with its new tech.
Computing News
Two RTX 4060 graphics cards stacked on top of each other.

These are the 5 best budget GPUs you can buy for under $300

Although graphics cards continue to get more expensive, our list of the best budget GPUs proves you can still pick up a graphics card for under $300.
Computing Best Ofs
Steam Deck held between two hands.

Steam Deck 2: everything we know so far

Valve has already said that it will be a few years before we see the Steam Deck 2, but we're already speculating on what it'll be like.
Computing Guides
The Nvidia logo on the RTX 4070 Super.

I’m jealous — someone scored an RTX 4070 Super for $49 on Amazon

The RTX 4070 Super normally costs $600, but one lucky shopper picked one up a new one for just $49.
Computing News
Pins on Core i9-12900K.

Intel’s new Arrow Lake CPUs can still consume a ton of power

Some early benchmarks for Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake CPUs show they can still draw a ton of power, even with a new focus on efficiency.
Computing News
The Ryzen 9 9950X socketed in a motherboard.

AMD is finally recognizing that Ryzen 9000 CPUs are way too expensive

AMD is laying some groundwork for Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake CPUs with a price cut across its full range of Ryzen 9000 processors.
Computing News
A character from the game Den of Wolves

I entered the Den of Wolves to learn about Unity 6

Den of Wolves is one of the first Unity 6 games we know about, and I sat down with the developers at 10 Chambers to learn more about the process.
Computing Features
The Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti sitting on a coffee table.

Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti review: smaller and more powerful than a PS5

The AtomMan G7 Ti achieves the impossible. It's very performant, impossibly small, and best of all, reasonably priced. That all makes it easy to recommend.
Computing Reviews
Qualcomm's CEO presenting Snapdragon X Elite CPUs at Computex 2024.

Qualcomm just squashed its own desktop ambitions

Just days after the first orders started arriving, Qualcomm abruptly canceled its mini PC with a Snapdragon X Elite chip inside.
Computing News
Someone holding the Ryzen 7 5800X3D in a red light.

Pour one out — AMD is reportedly sunsetting the Ryzen 7 5800X3D

AMD's legendary Ryzen 7 5800X3D is out of stock basically everywhere, and it looks like the processor might be gone for good.
Computing News
Intel Core Ultra Series 2 Lunar Lake chipset.

Intel is bringing back one of its most frustrating types of CPUs

An early benchmark for the Core 5 210H processors suggests that Intel is rebranding Raptor Lake and Alder Lake CPUs for its upcoming mobile range.
Computing News
The Wooting 80HE keyboard sitting among its accessories.

Wooting 80HE review: all-in on Hall Effect

The Wooting 80HE improves on the design set by the 60HE in a handful of ways, but some strange design choices have me scratching my head.
Computing Reviews
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announces updates to the company's Copilot artificial intelligence (AI) tool.

Microsoft Copilot ‘spews data all over the floors,’ says influential CEO

The CEO of Salesforce had some strong words for Microsoft Copilot, comparing the AI assistant to the long-retired Microsoft Clippy.
Computing News
An Intel executive holding a Lunar Lake CPU.

AMD and Intel have formed a coalition to fight off Qualcomm

Although they'll remain rivals, AMD and Intel are joining efforts on x86 to fight off the threat that Arm poses to their business.
Computing News
Cyberpunk 2077 running on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8.

No, generative AI isn’t taking over your PC games anytime soon

A new wave of AI-generated game "remasters" are causing a fuss, but you don't have to worry about your PC games anytime soon.
Computing Features
AMD's Ryzen 9 7950X3D sitting in the box.

The launch of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D feels very close — and it might disappoint

A mountain of evidence is mounting that the Ryzen 7 9800X3D could show up any day now, but it might not be the CPU gamers were hoping for.
Computing News
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