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Latest by Jacob Roach

Cyberpunk 2077 on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8.

A look back at the best (and worst) PC games I tested in 2023

I test dozens of PC games every year. Here are the most impressive (and the most disappointing) PC ports I looked at in 2023.
Someone using the Surface Laptop Studio 2 with Adobe Premiere Pro.

Here’s how to get the best performance in Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro can tax your PC, but with a few simple tweaks, you can optimize your performance so you can edit smoothly.
The OneXPlayer X1 handheld.

The first Core Ultra handheld gaming PC is already coming

We already have details on a handheld gaming PC sporting one of Intel's new Core Ultra CPUs.
Logo on the RTX 4060 Ti graphics card.

How I conceded to the RTX 4060 Ti

I recommended the worst GPU released this year to a friend who was building a PC, and he loves it. Here's why.
Someone smelling the fumes from the Steam Deck.

If I’m not supposed to smell the Steam Deck vents, why do they smell so good?

Apparently, you aren't supposed to smell the fumes coming off your new Steam Deck, but that probably won't stop me.
Intel's new Intel Core Ultra badge.

Confused about Core Ultra? We were too, so we asked Intel about it

It's the start of the Core Ultra era for Intel. What does that mean? We have all of the specifics for when you go to buy your next laptop.
A tray of Intel Core Ultra CPUs.

With the arrival of Core Ultra, a new era for Intel has begun

A few years after they were originally announced, Intel is ready to launch its highly anticipated Core Ultra CPUs.
On-package memory on Intel Meteor Lake processors.

Intel 14th-gen Meteor Lake: everything you need to know

Intel's 14-gen Meteor Lake processors are here and will soon start appearing in laptops. Here's everything you need to know about them.
Lies of P on the KTC G42P5.

I’ve used ultrawide monitors for a decade. Here’s why I’ve given up on them

I've used a 21:9 PC monitor for 10 years, but I'm finally giving up the form factor. Here's why I stopped.
RTX 4060 Ti sitting next to the RTX 4070.

This was the most disappointing GPU that I reviewed this year

We've seen a ton of new GPUs this year, but there's one card that stands out as the most disappointing GPU of 2023.
surface laptop studio 2 review 07

Windows 12 could repeat Windows 11’s big mistake

The first details about Windows 12 are coming out, and the rumored OS could repeat a big mistake of Windows 11.
The Digital Trends website on the KTC G42P5.

This new Windows 11 shortcut made using my PC so much easier

One feature that flew under the radar in Windows 11's latest feature update has made using my PC feel so much easier.
Intel Arc A580 graphics card on a pink background.

I’m shocked how good this $180 GPU is

We haven't seen a true budget GPU in a few years, but Intel's Arc A580 fills that gap with compelling 1080p performance at a fantastic price.
Cyberpunk 2077 running on the Alienware 34 QD-OLED.

The best HDR monitors for gaming, content creation, and more

To properly enjoy HDR you need a good monitor that fully supports it. Here are the displays gamers, content creators, and enthusiasts should look out for.
AMD revealing its Ryzen 8040 CPUs.

AMD’s new Ryzen 8040 CPUs aren’t all that new

AMD revealed its new Ryzen 8040 laptop CPUs, but looking closely at the specs, it doesn't look like there's much new with them at all.
AMD's CEO presenting the MI300X AI GPU.

AMD is taking the gloves off in the AI arms race

With the new MI300X GPU and MI300A APU, AMD is finally taking the AI fight back to Nvidia.
A man drives away in a boat with stolen money in Grand Theft Auto 5 art.

I’m glad GTA 6 isn’t coming to PC right away

It looks like GTA 6 won't launch on PC alongside console, but despite a barrage of criticism, that's a good thing for PC gamers.
AMD CEO Lisa Su holding an APU chip.

Intel said AMD’s Ryzen 7000 is snake oil

A new marketing playbook from Intel compares AMD's Ryzen 7000 mobile processors to snake oil.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 was the most innovative monitor of 2023.

The most innovative monitors of 2023

2023 was a huge year for monitors. Here are the displays that pushed the envelope forward like no others this year.
Hi-Fi Rush on the KTC G42P5.

I traded the my gaming monitor for something totally different

The Alienware 34 QD-OLED is widely considered the best gaming monitor you can buy, but I traded mine away for something completely different.
The RTX 4080 logo on a pink background.

Graphics cards are selling again, and that worries me

This is the second quarter we've seen GPU shipments increase, but that could have an unintended effect on GPU prices.
Portal RTX running on the Surface Laptop Studio 2.

To celebrate its milestone, here are the best (and worst) examples of RTX in games

Nvidia now has over 500 RTX games and apps, so it's time to look back at a few big wins, and a couple of unfortunate misses.
An OLED gaming monitor showing an HDR demo.

Brighter isn’t better for OLED monitors. An expert told me the surprising reason why

The most common criticism of OLED gaming monitors is that they don't get bright enough, but there's a good reason for that.
Cooler Master Qube 500 PC case sitting on a coffee table.

I fell in love with this PC case that looks like a cheese grater

Cooler Master's flat pack PC case looks a lot like a cheese grater, but it brings far more than a unique look to the table.
Starfield running on the Asus ROG Ally.

Asus’ forgotten ROG Ally is now totally worth the money

The Asus ROG Ally with the Ryzen Z1 wasn't very good when it released, but a refreshed price makes it the best deal you can find on a handheld gaming PC.
An illustration of Nvidia's Resizable Bar.

This essential GPU feature isn’t as simple as you think

Resizable Bar has become an essential feature for modern GPUs, but the more you dig into it, the more complicated it becomes.
Logo on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headset.

7 best headsets for PC gaming: tested and reviewed

Only a few headsets are worthy of making it on the list of the best headsets for PC gaming. Here are our top picks this year.
The Hyte Y40 PC case sitting on a table.

The best PC gaming hardware of 2023: GPUs, CPUs, monitors, and more

After reviewing dozens of PC gaming products this year, here are our favorites, from GPUs and CPUs to keyboards and headsets.
Kena Bridge of Spirits on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9.

Graphics terms every PC gamer should know

There are dozens of graphics terms PC gamers need to keep track of. We rounded them up so you know what to look for while playing games.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang on stage.

Nvidia is ‘no longer a graphics company’

Nvidia is an AI company more than it's a graphics company, and apparently that was an intentional shift from within the company.
Horizon Zero Dawn running on the Lenovo Legion Go,

Why the latest rival handheld still can’t beat the ROG Ally

The Lenovo Legion Go is one of the most impressive handhelds we've seen, but further testing reveals it exhibits some strange behavior compared to the ROG Ally.
Cyberpunk 2077 running on the Samsung Odyssey Neo G8 monitor.

These are the rules I live by when optimizing PC game performance

Optimizing the performance and image quality of PC games isn't easy, but these simple rules can steer you in the right direction.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU.

This might be why the RTX 4090 is getting so expensive

Prices have been rising for Nvidia's RTX 4090 over the last several weeks, and we might finally have an explanation as to why that's the case.
NVIDIA Unveils GeForce RTX, World’s First Real-Time Ray Tracing GPUs

In 2023, Nvidia finally delivered on a promise it made 5 years ago

Nvidia laid out a platform for the future five years ago in the form of RTX, and this year, we finally saw it all come together.