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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.

Black Myth: Wukong running on the MSI Claw 8 AI+.

I played Black Myth: Wukong on the new MSI handheld to prove it was possible

In a dimly-lit bar, MSI let try out the Claw 8 AI+, and I pulled up one of the most demanding games I could think of.
Computing News
The Intel logo on the Arc B580 graphics card.

I tested Intel’s new XeSS 2 to see if it really holds up against DLSS 3

Intel's new frame generation feature is off to a great start, but there's still one big flaw.
Computing Features
The Steam Deck OLED on a pink background.

We might get a new Steam Deck next month — and Valve isn’t making it

No, a Steam Deck 2 isn't imminent, but Valve will nonetheless make waves at CES 2025 in January.
Computing News
The Core Ultra 9 285K socketed into a motherboard.

Intel’s promised Arrow Lake autopsy details up to 30% loss in performance

Intel's Arrow Lake CPUs were up to 30% slower than expected, and now we finally know the reasons why.
Computing News
The Steam Replay 2024 profile showcase.

Steam Replay 2024 is live — here’s how to see yours

The year's almost over, so it's finally time to look back at your year of PC gaming with the Steam Replay 2024.
Computing News
Two RTX 4060 graphics cards stacked on top of each other.

Don’t get your hopes up for next-gen GPUs just yet

We're standing on the edge of the next generation of graphics cards, but it'll be a while before the full lineup comes into focus.
Computing Features
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth running on the Steam Deck.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth proves, once again, that 8GB GPUs are on their way out

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is headed to PC, but if you're using an 8GB graphics card, you could be in for a rude awakening.
Computing News
A hand grabbing MSI's RTX 4090 Suprim X.

We might see a new version of DLSS next month

A press release from Nvidia board partner Inno3D suggests we'll see new AI-accelerated capabilities on GPUs next month.
Computing News
The Nvidia app on the Windows desktop.

No, the Nvidia App isn’t killing your PC’s performance

News is making the rounds that the Nvidia App could reduce your PC's performance, but there's more to the story.
Computing Features
The RTX 4090 graphics card sitting on a table with a dark green background.

A popular GPU brand just confirmed RTX 5090 details

We've seen a ton of speculation about the RTX 5090, but GPU brand Zotac just confirmed several details.
Computing News
Crucial MX500 250GB SATA SSD

The SSD I’ve been recommending for over 5 years is reaching its untimely end

The Crucial MX500 is a certified legend in PC hardware, but its life is unfortunately coming to an end.
Computing News
An AMD graphics card sitting on a pink background.

AMD is finally turning the corner with FSR 3

We've had AMD's FSR 3 tech for more than a year, but it finally feels like the upscaling and frame-generation tool is hitting its stride.
Computing Features
The back of the Intel Arc B580 graphics card.

Intel Arc B580 vs. Nvidia RTX 4060: a one-sided showdown

Intel's new Arc B580 is superfast, but how does it compare to the wildly popular Nvidia RTX 4060? I found out.
Computing Features
The Intel logo on the Arc B580 graphics card.

Prices for Intel’s Arc B580 are already shooting through the roof

Intel's Arc B580 is officially out, but most models are already sold out online and scalpers are already stepping in to raise the price.
Computing News
The Intel Arc B580 sitting among other graphics cards.

Intel Arc B580 review: a $249 Nvidia killer

Intel just kicked off the next generation of graphics cards with the Arc B580, and it's one heck of an introduction.
Computing Reviews
AMD RX 7800 XT and RX 7700 XT graphics cards.

Reviewers hated this AMD GPU. Here’s why I still recommend it

AMD's RX 7700 XT wasn't broadly loved when it released, but some key price drops have made it a fantastic option for 1440p gamers.
Computing Features
Indiana Jones standing in a forest with a whip.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a PC killer — in the best way

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a rare win for PC releases, despite how much it might tax your hardware.
Computing Features
8bitdo wireless usb adapter stocking stuffer adpater 1

This $20 accessory should be in the stocking of every PC gamer

PC gamers are always difficult to shop for, but any PC gamer will appreciate this simple $20 accessory as a gift.
Computing Features
Two intel Arc graphics cards on a pink background.

It’s finally time to stop ignoring Intel GPUs

Intel is releasing its second generation of discrete graphics cards next week. Here's why you should keep an eye on them.
Computing Features
Indiana jones buried in the sand.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle proves Nvidia wrong about 8GB GPUs

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle looks great, but Nvidia's low VRAM capacity struggles in the game.
Computing News
The Ryzen 5 7600X sitting among thermal paste and RAM.

Black Friday’s best PC hardware deal is still live, and you’re sleeping on it

Even after two weeks, the best PC hardware deal I've seen during Black Friday and Cyber Monday is still live. Here's why you should buy it.
Computing Deals
The RTX 4080 in a running test bench.

A PC ‘recession’ could make hardware way more expensive, says researcher

Proposed tariffs on China and Mexico could lead to a PC market recession, according to a GPU market researcher.
Computing News
A hand grabbing a graphics card.

Don’t bother with GPU deals during Cyber Week. Do this instead

You might be holding out to score a deep GPU discount on Cyber Week, but I wouldn't suggest waiting for too long.
Computing Features
The Last of Us Part One running on the MSI MPG 321URX.

For $630, you may want to take the plunge on an OLED gaming monitor

Everyone wants an OLED gaming monitor, and now that you can buy one for $630, it's may be time to pull the trigger.
Computing Deals
Thermal shield for the Steam Deck SSD.

You need to buy this 2TB Steam Deck SSD, which is $84 off for Cyber Week

Now is the best time to upgrade your Steam Deck storage thanks to an SSD that's close to 50% off for Cyber Week.
Computing Deals
AMD logo on the RX 7800 XT graphics card.

AMD’s new GPU breaks cover in online calculator

A listing for AMD's unannounced RX 8800 XT has appeared online, and it includes some big hints about the GPU.
Computing News
An exploded view of Intel's Arc A580 GPU.

Intel’s new $249 GPU brings 1440p gaming to the masses

Intel has a new graphics card with the Arc B580, and it wants to bring 1440p gaming down to just $249.
Computing News
hp omen transcend 32 review 13

Intel just stole a page from Nvidia’s DLSS playbook

Intel's new XeSS 2 feature brings frame generation and latency reductions, much in the same way as Nvidia's wildly popular DLSS 3.
Computing News
AMD's RX 7700 XT in a test bench.

I found the one GPU deal worth buying on Cyber Monday

Most GPU deals are terrible on Cyber Monday, but this RX 7800 XT sale is one of the best I've seen all year.
Computing Deals
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger holding a chip.

Intel announces sudden departure of CEO amid financial turmoil

Intel has announced that its CEO Pat Gelsinger will retire after less than four years as the company's head executive.
Computing News
The Plex app running on a TV.

I spent just $90, and I’m never paying for streaming ever again

Now that I've scored a lifetime membership to Plex for $90, I'm officially done paying for streaming services.
Computing Deals
Several GPUs sitting next to each other.

The state of GPUs is about to drastically change

We're standing just weeks away from a complete overhaul of PC gaming with a trio of new generations from Nvidia, Intel, and AMD.
Computing Features
An HDR demo on the Omen Transcend 32.

HP Omen Transcend 32 review: almost a perfect 10

The HP Omen Transcend 32 does just about everything right. Minus a few quibbles, this is one of the most impressive monitors I've ever seen.
Computing Reviews
The Terra Master F8 SSD Plus sitting among SSDs.

The Terra Master F8 SSD Plus took my Plex server to the next level

I've been loving my Plex server for the past several months, but switching to a NAS took my streaming experience to the next level.
Computing Features
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