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Jacob Roach

Jacob Roach

Senior Staff Writer, Computing

Jacob Roach is a writer covering computing and gaming at Digital Trends. After realizing Crysis wouldn't run on a laptop, he started building his own gaming PCs and hasn't looked back since. Before Digital Trends, he contributed content to Forbes Advisor, Business Insider, and PC Invasion, covering PC components, monitors, and peripherals.

Outside of tinkering with his PC and tracking down every achievement in the latest games, Jacob spends his time playing and recording music. Before switching to writing full time, he worked as a recording engineer in St. Louis, Missouri.

A Destiny player slams down on their opponent.

What is anti-aliasing? MSAA, FXAA, TAA, and more explained

Anti-aliasing is one of the most important graphics settings in PC games, and knowing what MSAA, FXAA, TAA, and other anti-aliasing settings are is paramount.
Computing Guides
RTX 3080 graphics cards among other GPUs.

10 best graphics cards of 2024: finding the best GPU for gaming

The best graphics cards for 2024 include GPUs from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, but only a select few rise to the top of the rankings.
Computing Products
RTX 4060 Ti sitting next to the RTX 4070.

Why you shouldn’t buy the best GPU of last year

Nvidia's current-gen lineup has been dominated by one GPU for the past year, but new graphics card releases are changing that story.
Computing Features
A hand holding the RTX 4090 GPU.

Nvidia is the ‘GPU cartel,’ says former AMD Radeon manager

The former head of AMD graphics has come out with some strong words against Nvidia, calling the mammoth GPU company the GPU cartel.
Computing News
Two RTX 4070 graphics cards sitting side by side.

I tested the RTX 4070 against AMD’s new RX 7900 GRE — and it’s not pretty

Nvidia's RTX 4070 has been an excellent GPU, but it has stiff new competition in the form of AMD's RX 7900 GRE.
Computing Products
A screenshot of Copilot's unhinged responses on a screen.

‘Take this as a threat’ — Copilot is getting unhinged again

Microsoft's Copilot AI chatbot appears to get tripped up by a specific prompt that sends it down a dark, unhinged rabbit hole.
Computing Features
Minthara in Baldur's Gate 3.

The best Mac games for 2024

The best Mac games include everything from low-key indies like Stardew Valley to dense RPGs like Disco Elysium. Here are the best games to try playing in 2024.
Gaming Products
Graphics card in the CLX Hathor PC.

I review gaming PCs for a living — these are my 9 favorites

We review dozens of new gaming desktops each year. Here are the best gaming PCs to spend your money on in 2024.
Computing Products
Four soldiers walk in a Helldivers 2 trailer.

Helldivers 2 CEO says DLSS is ‘not necessary’ — and he’s right

The CEO of Arrowhead Games, developers of Helldivers 2, has responded to the lack of DLSS and FSR support in the successful multiplayer game.
Computing News
The AMD RX 7900 graphics card on a pink background.

AMD RX 7900 GRE review: the best AMD GPU this generation

AMD's RX 7900 GRE is a late-stage addition to the RDNA 3 lineup, but it might be the best graphics card we've seen out of Team Red this generation.
Computing Reviews
nier automata steam deck dt respec linux

Proton and Nier: Automata — the untold story behind what makes the Steam Deck tick

The Steam Deck is a massive hit, but one game changed the trajectory of the device, and Linux gaming as a whole, in a major way.
Computing Features
Cyberpunk 2077 running on the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.

The new ROG G14 completely upends the Razer Blade 14

Asus' radical new Zephyrus G14 takes aim at the Razer Blade 14, and it comes out on top in a messy battle.
Computing Products
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 with an HDR demo playing on it.

The new Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is damn near perfect

Asus did something crazy with the 2024 Zephyrus G14, and a series of smart concessions has created a laptop that's more than the sum of its parts.
Computing Reviews
Person holding Nintendo Switch, looking at the home screen.

Everything you need to know about Nintendo Switch Online

While Nintendo Switch Online doesn't exactly match its competitors, it does have enticing benefits. Here's what you should know about the subscription service.
Gaming Guides
An Intel Meteor Lake processor socketed in a motherboard.

Intel road map explained: going beyond 2027

Intel debuted an updated road map at its IFS Direct event, showcasing what the company is doing through 2027.
Computing Guides
A response from ChatGPT on an Android phone.

ChatGPT shortly devolved into an AI mess

An issue is impacting ChatGPT right now, sending the AI chatbot off on some unhinged, nonsensical tangents.
Computing News
The Corsair K65 Plus Wireless keyboard on a pink background.

Corsair just stepped up its keyboard game — in a big way

Corsair hasn't done much to set its keyboards apart over the past couple of years, but the new K65 Plus Wireless is changing that.
Computing Features
A man works at his desktop and a Dell UltraSharp 34-inch curved monitor.

The 10 best monitors for 2024: tested and reviewed

There are only a select few displays worthy of being deemed the best monitors. Here are the screens worth your time and money.
Computing Products
The iMac screen on a desk.

10 best desktop computers of 2024: tested and reviewed

There are a ton of PCs to choose from in 2024, but these 10 are the best desktop computers we've ever reviewed.
Computing Products
Combat in the game Nightingale.

This might be why AMD’s FSR 3 isn’t picking up momentum

The developers of an upcoming survival game decided to remove AMD's FSR 3 before launch due to unexpected crashes.
Computing News
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU.

The RTX 4090 is past its prime, and that’s OK

The RTX 4090 has been the head honcho of GPUs for more than a year, and despite prices creeping down, it's not worth picking up the GPU right now.
Computing Features
A window showing Nvidia's Chat with RTX.

How to use Nvidia’s new Chat with RTX AI bot

Nvidia has a local AI chatbot called Chat with RTX, allowing you to use AI completely free from the cloud. Here's how to use it.
Computing Guides
Cyberpunk 2077 on the Asus ROG PG32UCDM.

Asus ROG Swift 32 QD-OLED review: the one we’ve been waiting for

Asus emerged as the unofficial champion of the first wave of OLED gaming monitors, but does it keep the crown in 2024? The PG32UCDM suggests it does.
Computing Reviews
EVGA RTX 3060 sitting on a table.

Using an RTX 3060? Here’s the GPU to upgrade to next

While the RTX 3060 is the most popular graphics card in gaming PCs, we rounded up a list of GPUs that can take your gaming experience to the next level.
Computing Features
Nvidia GPU core.

Apparently, ants can eat your GPU now

Ants are eating the thermal pads in GPUs, and this is far from the first time we've heard about the problem.
Computing News
Android Apps on Windows 11.

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.
Computing Guides
A window showing Nvidia's Chat with RTX.

All RTX GPUs now come with a local AI chatbot. Is it any good?

Nvidia is taking a swing at making its own AI chatbot by leveraging the power of RTX GPUs -- but it still has some serious quirks.
Computing Features
Overwatch 2 running on the LG OLED 27 gaming monitor.

10 best gaming monitors of 2024: tested and reviewed

After reviewing dozens of the gaming displays, here are the best gaming monitors to spend your money on in 2024.
Computing Products
AMD presenting FSR 3 at Gamescom.

AMD’s FSR 3 compromise just isn’t working

Even a few months after release, FSR 3 isn't in a ton of games. And AMD's frame generation compromise isn't filling the gaps enough.
Computing Features
A scene from Helldiver 2's opening cutscene.

Helldivers 2 PC performance: best settings, performance, crashing

Helldivers 2 is the first time a PlayStation game is releasing on PC and PS5 at the same time. How does it hold up on PC, though?
Computing Guides
Three mini-LED laptops playing an HDR demo.

I tested 3 years of mini-LED gaming laptops, and I was shocked by the results

Mini-LED laptops are still relatively new, but comparing the last three years of mini-LED tech shows how far we've come.
Computing Features
An AMD Radeon RX 6500XT placed on a motherboard.

GPU prices and availability (Q1 2024): How much are GPUs today?

You can finally buy a graphics card thanks to falling GPU prices. Here's how Nvidia, AMD, and Intel GPU pricing look in the first quarter of 2024.
Computing Guides
The 2024 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 sitting on a table.

We just learned two critical details about the 2024 Zephyrus G14

After the debut of the 2024 Zephyrus G14 and G16 earlier this year, listings have gone live for the laptops, revealing two critical details.
Computing News
RTX 3050 graphics card among PC accessories.

The best GPUs if you’re upgrading from a GTX 1650

The GTX 1650 has reached mythic status among budget PC gamers, but it's time for an upgrade. Here are three GPUs to keep on your short list.
Computing Features
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