Articles by Joe Shields, Staff Writer, Components

Joe has been playing with computers since the early 1980s with a Radio Shack Tandy TRS-80. After college in the late 90s/early 2000s, he built his first custom PC and got into modding, overclocking, and eventually extreme overclocking, competing at Hwbot.org. Joe started writing around 2010 for Overclockers.com, covering the latest news and reviews that include video cards, motherboards, storage, and processors. In 2018, he went ‘pro’ writing for Anandtech.com, covering news and motherboards. Eventually, he landed here at Tom’s Hardware, where he writes news, covers graphics card reviews, and currently writes motherboard reviews. If you can’t find him benchmarking and gathering data, Joe can be found working on his website (Overclockers.com), supporting his two kids in athletics, hanging out with his wife, catching up on Game of Thrones, watching sports (Go Browns/Guardians/Cavs/Buckeyes!), or playing PUBG on PC.

Articles by: Joe Shields

Examining DDR4 PC build options in 2026 — With high DDR5 prices, a PC build with DDR4 is worth considering, especially if you have RAM you can carry over from a previous build

By Joe Shields, Jake Roach published 15 January 26

Just because they aren’t cutting edge, doesn’t mean you can’t get great gaming and productivity performance with one of these builds.

Best motherboard deals 2026 — big sales on Intel and AMD motherboards right now

By Joe Shields last updated 13 January 26

Here are the best motherboard deals in 2025. We're constantly updating this list with the best deals across all your favorite retailers.

MSI unlocks the full power of AMD CPUs with new MEG X870E Unify-X Max motherboard — premium Ryzen overclocking comes to AM5

By Zhiye Liu published 8 January 26

MSI showcases the long-awaited MEG X870E Unify-X Max motherboard for Ryzen processors at CES 2026.

Cooler Master Aquagate MAX Retro Mini CDU

Cooler Master introduces the Aquagate MAX Retro Mini cooling unit — delivers massive cooling capacity up to 2,500 watts

By Jowi Morales published 8 January 26

This probably isn't for your gaming desktop.

Patriot shows off opulent Viper Xtreme 5 Aurum RAM kit with flashy finish as prices surge throughout industry — company also showcases new SSDs and MicroSD Express card for Switch 2

By Jowi Morales published 8 January 26

Patriot showed off a host of its latest SSD and RAM kits at CES 2026, and the company also offered a sneak peek of its rapid DDR5-10000 RAM kit, which is currently under development.

Best CPU Coolers 2026: AIO and Air Coolers

By Matt Safford last updated 2 January 26

These are the best air and liquid/AIO CPU coolers we've tested, for all consumer systems, from small form-factor builds to overclocked big rigs.

Best Motherboards 2026 for Gaming, by Socket and Chipset

By Joe Shields last updated 1 January 26

Here are the best motherboards we've tested, for all the recent AMD and Intel CPU platforms.

MSI B850 MPower Motherboard Review: Micro ATX made for overclocking memory

By Joe Shields published 30 December 25

MSI’s B850 MPower is a solid all-around motherboard, but excels at memory overclocking, specifically with 8000-series APUs, where speeds over 10,000 MT/s are possible.

Best PC builds for gaming 2026: From $500 budgets to $4,000+

By Joe Shields last updated 29 December 25

We’ve picked out the perfect parts for your next PC build, whether you’re spending $500 or $4,000 on components. We have recommendations for budget, midrange, high-end, and extreme systems.

Shrug off the RAM price crisis with this $180 off ASRock X870 Taichi bundle — 32GB V-Color DDR5-6000 RAM and Cooler Master 212 CPU cooler included

By Joe Shields published 26 December 25

Deals Buy this combo deal and get a flagship-class X870E Taichi motherboard, 32GB of V-Color XFinity+ DDR5-6000 RAM, and a free CPU heatsink for $529.99.

ASRock X870 Taichi Creator Review: A Taichi for Creatives

By Joe Shields published 23 December 25

ASRock has a Taichi for everything.

Hands-on with the Thermal Grizzly Der8enchtable: Updating our longstanding motherboard test bench

By Joe Shields published 20 December 25

The Thermal Grizzly Der8enchtable with an active PCB improves the open-air test bench by adding USB, storage, and integrated fan controls for easier extreme overclocking and hardware reviewing.

ASRock's blazing fast 27-inch 520Hz monitor is only $238 — at $290 off, ASRock's IPS 1080p Phantom Gaming panel is its lowest price ever on Newegg

By Joe Shields published 15 December 25

Deals Buy an ASRock PG27FFX1B 27-inch, 520Hz, FHD IPS panel for $237.99. At over $290 and 55% off, you get a high-quality IPS panel with a wide color gamut that's great for gaming and productivity

MSI X870E Godlike X Motherboard Review: 10th anniversary edition brings more exclusivity, numbered placard, and a Lucky plushy

By Joe Shields published 14 December 25

Happy 10th Birthday, Godlike series!

ASRock X870E Taichi OCF Motherboard Review: The right formula for extreme AMD overclocking

By Joe Shields published 11 December 25

ASRock’s X870E Taichi OCF is a well-designed motherboard full of high-end features and tools for manual overclocking.

Newegg's latest combo bargain pairs 32GB of highly sought-after G.Skill DDR5-6000 RAM with a Gigabyte Z890 board for under $650 — get a free $90 Cooler Master 360mm AIO chucked in for free

By Joe Shields last updated 11 December 25

Deals Avoid outlandish DDR5 prices in this tremendous deal from Newegg. $649.99 buys an enthusiast-class Gigabyte Z890 motherboard, 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, a 360mm AIO, and free Star Wars Outlaws game

Asus Strix B850 and Team Group DDR5 6000 white bundle

Avoid sky-high DDR5 prices and save $150 with this Asus B850 board and 16GB Team Group RAM bundle deal

By Joe Shields published 5 December 25

Deals Skirt ridiculous DDR5 prices in this smokin' deal from Newegg. $229 buys a mid-range Asus B850-A Gaming Wifi R2 motherboard and 16GB Team Group DDR5-6000 RAM - $150 off

Best CPU Cooler deals 2026 — find the best price on AIO and air coolers

By Joe Shields last updated 5 December 25

Here are the best CPU cooler deals 2026.

Best PC Case Deals 2025 — deals on Fractal, Lian Li, Corsair, and other cases

By Stewart Bendle last updated 5 December 25

We've gathered the top PC case deals for housing your hardware. We're constantly updating this list with the best deals across all sales at all retailers.

This MSI Pro 27-inch gaming monitor plummets to its lowest-ever price of $89.99 at Newegg — 1080p, 144Hz display is a gaming and productivity double-threat

By Joe Shields published 5 December 25

Deals Capable MSI Pro MP273L panel is priced to perform, and still offers solid gaming features

MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk MAX Wifi PZ Review: Project Zero cleans up the cables

By Joe Shields published 3 December 25

MSI’s Project Zero concept cleans up wiring by moving most connectivity to the rear

Here are the best Black Friday deals on fans for your PC — fans from Corsair, be quiet!, Cooler Master, Lian Li, and more

By Joe Shields published 29 November 25

Deals Shop Black Friday deals for a wide variety of 120mm and 140mm fans and save up to 36%

This 240 mm liquid cooler with a massive 5-inch IPS screen is more than half off — Thicc Q60 AIO is $120 for Black Friday

By Joe Shields published 26 November 25

Deals If you’re in the market for a fancy AIO cooler to cool your processor, Hyte’s Thicc Q60 204mm AIO is $119.99 for Black Friday, a whopping 52% off.

Newegg combo deal pairs AMD's Ryzen 9600X, MSI B850 motherboard, Montech Mesh case, and AIO for $338 — $95 off deal includes an $89 AIO

By Joe Shields published 24 November 25

Deals Newegg AMD Ryzen 9000 series Combo deal stacks discounts on top of discounts, with a motherboard, cooler, and case.

MSI MPG X870I Edge Ti Evo Wifi Review: Three M.2’s and smokin’ fast memory support

By Joe Shields published 20 November 25

MSI’s X870I Edge Ti Evo Wifi is a premium Mini-ITX board, and the only one from this generation with three M.2 sockets. It comes handsomely equipped, but the $449 price is tough to swallow.

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