Skip to main content
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 leads 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.

A custom keyboard sitting among keycaps and switches.

Here are the 10 best gaming keyboards I’d recommend to anyone in 2024

After reviewing dozens of gaming keyboards, we've settled on 10 of the best gaming keyboards you should keep in mind in 2024.
A Core i9-12900KS processor sits on its box.

Intel’s next-gen CPUs are leaving a big feature behind

The first major leak for Intel's Arrow Lake CPUs is here, and it shows that the chips will drop support for a big feature we've seen in previous generations.
Several apps on a PC monitor.

These 9 Steam apps have been transformative for my gaming PC

You're probably missing some of the best apps for your gaming PC, and they're sitting right inside of Steam.
The Corsair K70 RGB TKL sitting on a table with accessories.

5 keyboards you should buy instead of the Corsair K70

The Corsair K70 is a legendary gaming keyboard, but in 2024, there are better alternatives. Here are our 5 favorites, including some from Corsair.
Media Player inside Windows 11.

I gave the Windows Media Player another shot. Here’s what surprised me

I wanted to try Windows' Media Player one more time, and I expected it to fall flat. To my surprise, it wasn't all bad.
AMD announcing specs for Ryzen 9000 CPUs at Computex 2024.

AMD might make a last-minute change to save a Ryzen 9000 CPU

A new report says AMD is considering changing the power specs of an upcoming Ryzen 9000 CPU to help it stay competitive.
A person using the Dell UltraSharp 40 U4025QW 40-inch curved Thunderbolt hub monitor with a Dell laptop on a desk.

The 10 best monitors for 2024: tested and reviewed

Only a handful of displays stand out as the best monitors. These are the ones that deserve your attention and investment.
Evernote running on a laptop.

I’ve given up on Evernote

I've used Evernote to jot down ideas for years, but a series of unfortunate events has led to me abandoning the app for good.
Graphics card in the CLX Hathor PC.

These are the 9 best gaming PCs that you should buy

We've reviewed dozens of gaming desktops, but only a select few are worthy of making it among the best gaming PCs in 2024.
AMD logo on the RX 7800 XT graphics card.

AMD just revealed a game-changing feature for your graphics card

AMD is set to reveal a neural texture block compression technique next week, which could have big implications for the next generation of graphics cards.
The Logitech G515 keyboard on a pink background.

Logitech is finally back in the fight

After a string of gaming keyboards that satisfy the status quo, the Logitech G515 feels like a properly competitive offering.
Intel announcing its Lunar Lake CPUs.

The biggest question about Intel’s Lunar Lake CPUs was just answered

Intel's Lunar Lake CPUs have been shrouded in mystery, but a new leak details the critical specs of these processors.
Someone using the Surface Laptop Studio 2 with Adobe Premiere Pro.

4 video editors you should use instead of Adobe Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro is the go-to video editor in 2024, but it's pricey and difficult to learn. Here are four alternatives to keep in mind.
A small form factor build inside the Fractal Terra.

I finally gave up on liquid-cooled PCs after 13 years — here’s why

I've used liquid coolers in my gaming PCs for 13 years, but I'm finally switching back to an air CPU cooler.
Intel keynote.

No, Intel’s Lunar Lake CPUs aren’t being delayed

A new report suggests that Intel's Lunar Lake CPUs are being delayed, but Intel says that's not the case.
PNY RTX 4080 with the power connector attached.

An overclocking legend is making a long-awaited return to graphics cards

Vince Lucido is an overclocking legend, and the man known as Kingpin is said to be making a return to graphics cards with an unexpected brand.
The Special K app running in Elden Ring.

I fixed the biggest problem with Elden Ring on PC with this free app

Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree expansion is here, but I won't be starting it on PC without these two apps at the ready.
Elden Ring running on the Asus ROG PG42UQ.

Elden Ring PC performance: best settings, fps cap, and stuttering fixes

With Shadow of the Erdtree officially here, it's time to revisit Elden Ring on PC to find the best settings.
AMD's Scott Herkalman presenting the RX 7800 XT graphics card.

AMD just suffered a massive data breach that could reveal future products

AMD is investigating a data breach that could reveal future products, but it doesn't seem too concerned about the scale of the attack right now.
Alienware ultrawide OLED on a desk.

These are the 10 best gaming monitors of 2024

After thoroughly evaluating numerous gaming displays, here are the top gaming monitors worth investing in for 2024.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 sitting on a table.

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

With Microsoft slowing down support for Windows 10, is it finally time to upgrade to Windows 11? We break down all the differences.
Someone holding the Core i9-12900KS processor.

The 7 worst CPUs of all time

We see disappointing CPUs in every generation, but few are truly bad enough to earn a spot among the worst processors of all time. Here's a look at them.
Android App running on a Windows 11 PC

How to install Android apps on Windows 11

Windows 11 supports Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, but getting everything set up is tricky. Here's how to install Android apps on Windows 11.
The new Surface Pro on a table.

Copilot+ laptops are ‘not usable’ in one key area, reviews say

Reviews for Copilot+ laptops packing the Snapdragon X Elite chip are here, and it's not all good news.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl: release date predictions, trailers, gameplay

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is coming sometime in 2023. Here's what you need to know about the release date, gameplay trailer, multiplayer, and preorders.
Twitter app on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 cover screen.

Social media should be treated like cigarettes, says surgeon general

The U.S. surgeon general is calling on Congress to implement a tobacco-style warning label on social media platforms.
The RTX 4070 ITX Sakura Blizzard graphics card,

This new RTX 4070 pulls off the impossible

The RTX 4070 is a monster graphics card, but Zephyr has managed to cut the GPU down to a dual-slot design with only a single fan.
The RTX 4090 sitting on top of a PC.

The RTX 4090 has finally met its match

How do you fit the RTX 4090 inside a case the size of a toaster? I found out when trying to build inside of the Fractal Terra.
A flamingo on the LG UltraGear Dual Mode OLED monitor.

LG Dual Mode OLED review: a truly one-of-a-kind gaming monitor

LG's UltraGear Dual Mode OLED does something no other OLED does: 480Hz. It's the standout feature of this excellent display, but the price holds it back.
AMD CEO Lisa Su presenting performance for Ryzen AI CPUs.

AMD and Intel are being locked out of Copilot+ — for now

Despite launching new components that meet Microsoft's requirements for Copilot+, AMD and Intel won't have the new AI features at launch.
A photo of a laptop with the Snapdragon X Plus CPU.

No, an old iPhone won’t beat the Snapdragon X Elite

One Reddit user received a Snapdragon X Elite laptop early, and the initial benchmarks don't look promising.
Microsoft's CEO introducing Copilot+.

Microsoft is backpedaling on Recall, but it’s for the best

Recall, the headline feature for Copilot+ PCs, won't be available at launch, undermining Microsoft's push into the era of AI PCs.
AMD's CEO delivering the Computex 2024 presentation.

AMD ‘basically lies’ about Computex benchmark, YouTuber says

AMD is coming under some fire for benchmarks it shared following Computex 2024 that are said to be misleading.
Logitech's Pro X 2 Superlight gaming mouse.

5 gaming mice you should buy instead of the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2

The Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is a fantastic gaming mouse, but these 5 alternatives give the mouse a run for its money.