Skip to main content
Jacob Roach

Jacob Roach

Former Lead Reporter, PC Hardware
Author/Co-Author of 1748 articles

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.

Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck sitting next to each other.

Asus ROG Ally vs. Steam Deck: here’s how they compare

Both versions of Asus' ROG Ally are here now, so how do they compare to the Steam Deck? We put all three devices head-to-head.
Computing Best Ofs
WD Black SSD installed on motherboard.

Here are all the motherboards that officially support TPM for Windows 11

Windows 11 mandates TPM 2.0, and chances are your motherboard already supports it. If you are not sure, here are the models officially confirmed by top manufacturers.
Computing Features
A hacker uses a computer in Cyberpunk 2077.

Cyberpunk 2077 cheat codes: money, weapons, and more

From getting a cheat engine to inputting cheats and what cheat codes are best, here's how to cheat your way to glory in Cyberpunk 2077.
Gaming Guides
Scheduling an email in Outlook in Firefox on a MacBook.

How to recall an email in Outlook on Windows and Mac

Recalling a message is one of the most useful features of Microsoft Outlook.
Computing Guides
Among Us

Is Among Us cross-platform?

You'll need a big group to get the most out of Among Us. With cross-platform play, you can team up with your friends across PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile.
Gaming Guides
RTX 3080 graphics cards among other GPUs.

8 of the best GPUs I recommend after 200 hours of testing

Your gaming PC needs one of the best graphics cards for high frame rates, and we've reviewed all of the leading options from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel.
Computing Best Ofs
Graphics card in the CLX Hathor PC.

7 best gaming desktops of 2025: tested and reviewed

We've reviewed dozens of gaming desktops, but only a select few are worthy of making our list of the best gaming PCs in 2025.
Computing Best Ofs
Nvidia RTX 4070 Super.

The RTX 4070 Super vs. RTX 4070 — both good, but hard to find in 2025

Nvidia's RTX 4070 Super is faster than the base RTX 4070 model, but it's also difficult to find. So what should you opt for instead?
Computing Best Ofs
OLED demo on the Asus ROG PG27AQDM.

The 10 best monitors for 2025: tested and reviewed

Looking for the best monitors to buy in 2025? These are the ones that deserve your attention and investment.
Computing Best Ofs
Intel Core i5-13600K installed in a motherboard.

The best Intel processors for 2025

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 2025.
Computing Best Ofs
Intel XeSS visualized.

What is Intel XeSS, and how does it compare to Nvidia DLSS?

Intel XeSS is a feature for Arc Alchemist graphics cards. Here's what you need to know about it, how it can enhance PC games, and how it performs.
Computing Guides
Two intel Arc graphics cards on a pink background.

Intel Arc Alchemist: everything you need to know

Intel has finally released its Arc Alchemist graphics cards. Here's everything we know about Intel Arc Alchemist's release date, performance, and specs.
Computing Guides
Motorcycles chasing in Watch Dogs Legion.

All ray tracing games on PC: AMD Radeon and Nvidia RTX ray tracing

Nvidia RTX ray tracing helps the lighting in games look more realistic, but only certain games support the feature. We rounded up all of them.
Computing Guides
An MSI laptop sitting on a table.

Intel needed a win — its new laptop CPU delivers just that

Intel's new Core Ultra 9 285H supercharges laptop performance, but its battery life is what really impresses.
Computing Features
The Nvidia RTX 4090 sitting on a table.

Nvidia might never top the RTX 4090

Nvidia's RTX 4090 stands as a crowning achievement for Team Green, and it might never be dethroned again.
Computing Features
A Noctua cooler installed in a gaming PC.

This adorable Noctua cooler completely transformed my gaming PC

I invested $60 in this tiny Noctua cooler, and it's made my small form factor gaming PC so much better.
Computing Features
RTX 5090.

List price for RTX 50-series GPUs might be officially dead

Some of Nvidia's board partners are completely doing away with RTX 50-series GPUs at list price.
Computing News
Cyberpunk 2077 on the Lenovo Legion Go S.

Lenovo Legion Go S review: great handheld, bad configuration

The Lenovo Legion Go S establishes Lenovo as a premier handheld manufacturer, but I'd recommend waiting for a better hardware configuration.
Computing Reviews
Two RTX 4060 graphics cards stacked on top of each other.

Nvidia might break with tradition for the RTX 5060

Nvidia has been the champion of a new 12-pin power connector, but it might fall back to a standard PCIe adapter with the RTX 5060.
Computing News
A person running Steam on the M4 MacBook Pro. Rocket League is up on the screen

This Steam hack has saved me a ton of money on PC games

My Steam library is massive already, and Valve isn't making managing any easier given the discounts I've been getting on new games.
Computing Features
Radeon logo on the RX 7900 XTX.

We finally have good news about AMD’s RX 9070 XT

Details have been light about AMD's upcoming RX 9070 XT, but we finally have some good news to share about the GPU.
Computing News
Ghost of Tsushima running on the Steam Deck.

I’ve been dying for Steam Deck frame generation — so why is it so disappointing?

You can finally use frame generation in almost any game on the Steam Deck, but make sure to keep your expectations in check.
Computing Features
Miles and Peter standing next to each other staring at the camera. Peter is in the Venom suit.

This feature is reportedly killing PC performance in Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2's PC release is off to a rough start, from constant crashing to a feature that's reportedly killing user's performance.
Computing News
Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD, pictured holding an AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT graphics card.

AMD missed its shot for the top

AMD decided to sit out the generation where it needs to challenge Nvidia the most.
Computing Features
A hand holding the Lenovo Legion Go S handheld.

I’m loving the Lenovo Legion Go S, but there’s one problem I can’t get over

I love playing on the new Lenovo Legion Go S with the Z2 Go, but I can't look past the issue of Windows any longer.
Computing Features
Phone running Deepseek on a laptop keyboard.

DeepSeek can create criminal plans and explain mustard gas, researchers say

Researchers say DeepSeek is dangerous and capable of doing everything from generating plans for terrorists to explaining mustard gas.
Computing News
rtx 5090 lottery chaos gihqqgxaiaajarv

Nvidia RTX 5090 ‘lottery’ reportedly ends in screams and chaos

A Japanese "lottery" for the RTX 5090 reportedly drew a massive crowd and stirred a lot of commotion.
Computing News
The Surface Laptop 7 on a table in front of a window.

It’s a shame Microsoft’s upgraded Surface Laptop 7 is just ‘for business’

Microsoft is updating its Surface Laptop and Surface Pro with Intel Lunar, and bringing 5G to the former for the first time ever.
Computing News
Logo on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080.

3 GPUs you should buy instead of the RTX 5080

Nvidia's RTX 5080 is a bit of a disappointment. Here are three alternatives to keep in mind when you go to upgrade.
Computing Features
The RTX 5080 sitting on a pink background.

Nvidia’s next GPU tipped to launch in just a few weeks

Nvidia has two new graphics cards launching in February, and the specific release dates were just tipped off.
Computing News
The RTX 5080 sitting on a pink background.

Nvidia RTX 5080 review: it’s slower than the 4090

Nvidia's RTX 5080 provides a more realistic look into the Blackwell generation, and it's not looking pretty.
Computing Reviews
Hi-Fi Rush on the KTC G42P5.

Forget the RTX 5090 — PC gaming is more accessible than ever

PC gaming seems like it's in perpetual disarray, but the hobby is easier to get into now than ever before.
Computing Features
Tents outside of Micro Center for the RTX 5090 release.

Campers are already setting up for the RTX 5090 release

Eager buyers are already camping outside of Micro Center in anticipation of the RTX 5090 release later this week.
Computing News
AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su holding up a chip at Computex 2024.

AMD’s new integrated graphics are almost 70% faster than an RTX 4070

AMD's upcoming Strix Halo flagship looks insane, outclassing a mobile RTX 4070 by nearly 70% in some games.
Computing News
1234567
Next