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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.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang at GTC

Nvidia CEO in 1997: ‘We need to kill Intel’

The Ryzen 5 7600X sitting among thermal paste and RAM.

At basically $105, the Ryzen 5 7600X is the best gaming CPU to buy right now

Alienware ultrawide OLED on a desk.

The 10 best gaming monitors of 2024: tested and reviewed

After thoroughly evaluating numerous gaming displays, here are the top gaming monitors worth investing in for 2024.
OLED demo on the Asus ROG PG27AQDM.

The 10 best monitors for 2024: tested and reviewed

Looking for the best monitors to buy in 2024? These are the ones that deserve your attention and investment.
Ghost of Tsushima running on the Steam Deck.

Valve adds DLSS 3 to SteamOS backend, but don’t expect an Nvidia Steam Deck

A new update for Valve's Proton compatibility layer for Linux adds DLSS 3 support, along with a long list of bug fixes.
Key art for Stalker 2. A character in a lit-up gas mask and a gun on their back.

Understandably, Stalker 2 is a bit of a mess on PC

It never seemed like Stalker 2 would release, but it's finally here, and with some expected performance issues on PC in tow.
Google Chrome browser running on Android Automotive in a car.

U.S. government to Google: sell Chrome

U.S. officials are recommending that Google sell Chrome following a historic ruling that the company has maintained an illegal monopoly.
corsair mp700 elite review 5

Corsair MP700 Elite 2TB review: PCIe 5.0 for the rest of us

Corsair's new MP700 Elite is a PCIe 5.0 SSD you might actually buy, assuming you don't need more than 1TB in your new NVMe.
LG's UltraGear GX7 OLED gaming monitor sitting on a stand.

LG just launched its fastest OLED monitor yet — and you can buy it for $800

LG's new 480Hz OLED is the fastest gaming monitor the company has ever released, and you can preorder it for just $800 right now.
corsair apple gaming keyboard peripherals

Macs are getting their first official gaming keyboard

Apple is breaking out of its shell by teaming up with Corsair for its first gaming keyboard and mouse built for Macs.
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D held between fingertips.

4 CPUs you should buy instead of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is an incredible gaming CPU, but these four alternatives give AMD's latest a run for its money.
Nvidia Blackwell chips.

Nvidia’s new GPUs are already running into problems

Nvidia's next-gen Blackwell architecture, after suffering a delay, is in more hot water as data centers deal with overheating problems.
Various devices running Doom.

Can it run Doom? My journey through hell to discover why the answer is always ‘yes’

Under a blanket of memes and enthusiast hacking projects lies a decades-long story of how Doom became one of the most ported games ever.
A small form factor build inside the Fractal Terra.

Everyone hates this AMD CPU, but I still use it in my PC

AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X is somewhat of an outcast in the Ryzen 9000 range, but I love the little eight-core wonder inside my high-end gaming PC.
Someone using a MacBook Pro M4.

Apple hid one of the best features of the M4 MacBook Pro

Apple's new M4 MacBook Pro has a significant upgrade to the display, and the company somehow forgot to mention it.
A PS5 standing on a table, with purple lights around it.

PS5 vs. PC: Which is the better buy for gaming in 2024?

The PS5 is a remarkable console, but does it hold up to PC? We've tested both extensively, and here's what we think.
asus rog falchion ace hfx review 6

Asus ROG Falchion Ace HFX review: too expensive for plastic

Asus finally has a Hall Effect keyboard with the Falchion Ace HFX, but its high price and all-plastic build hold the keyboard back.
Cyberpunk 2077 on the Sony InZone M10S.

This fps-doubling app is now even better than DLSS 3

Lossless Scaling just got a new update that adds a feature that even DLSS 3 and FSR 3 don't have yet.
Microsoft Edge on a laptop on a couch.

Microsoft is, once again, trying to force users into using Edge

Microsoft has deployed numerous tactics to bring users over to Edge over the years, but it still hasn't stopped.
The Nvidia app on the Windows desktop.

Rest in pieces: Nvidia is finally ditching GeForce Experience for good

After a year of beta updates, the Nvidia app is officially here, kicking both the Nvidia Control Panel and GeForce Experience to the curb.
Microsoft Defender and Edge Security settings are open on a PC monitor.

My quest to fully remove Microsoft Edge is finally complete

It's hard enough to remove Microsoft Edge on its own, but this app goes beyond just setting a new default browser.
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D installed in a motherboard.

12 best processors for work and gaming in 2024: CPUs tested and reviewed

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.
intel core ultra 5 245k review 4

Intel admits defeat on Arrow Lake — but it’s not down for the count

Intel admits that its Core Ultra 9 285K and Core Ultra 5 245K have problems, but it plans to address the issues with a significant update soon.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 sitting on a table.

Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: Is it finally time to update?

With Microsoft slowing down support for Windows 10, is it finally time to upgrade to Windows 11? We break down all the differences.
Pads on the bottom of the Ryzen 9 7950X.

This is the one gaming CPU I recommend over the Ryzen 7 9800X3D

AMD's new Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a monster gaming CPU, but there's one other chip that delivers similar gaming performance for less money.
The Blue Screen of Death seen on a laptop.

How the Blue Screen of Death became your PC’s grim reaper

The Blue Screen of Death is as iconic as it is infamous, and it has a shockingly complex history.
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D sitting on a motherboard.

Scalpers are already jacking up the price of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D was available to purchase for a short time, but it's already sold out at most online retailers.
The bottom of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

I tested the Ryzen 7 9800X3D against the Core Ultra 9 285K. It’s not even close

AMD's new Ryzen 7 9800X3D punches far above its weight class, and my comparison to the Core Ultra 9 285K is proof of that.
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D held between fingertips.

I have a bone to pick with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a universally-praised gaming CPU, but I have a problem with it and how AMD has approached this generation.
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D sitting on a motherboard.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D review: king of the hill

AMD's new Ryzen 7 9800X3D claims the top gaming CPU slot, stealing it away from, well, AMD itself.
A tray of Intel Core Ultra CPUs.

AMD buying Intel? It’s on the table

According to a new report, the U.S. government is encouraging Intel to consider a merger, potentially with rival AMD.
Spider-man running on the Asus ROG PG42UQG.

Gamers are finally flocking to Windows 11 after 3 years

After three years, Windows 11 is finally the dominant operating system on Steam, and it's showing no signs of slowing down.
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.
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.