Joe Shields

Joe has been playing with computer 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 at here at Tom’s Hardware where he wrote news, covered graphic 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

MSI MPG Z690 Edge WIFI DDR4 Motherboard Review: Affordable Enthusiast Bliss?

By Joe Shields published 22 May 22

Designed for the budget-conscious enthusiast, the Z690 Edge includes capable power delivery, premium audio solution, four M.2 sockets, Intel-based 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 6 for $299.99.

ASRock Z690 Aqua Motherboard Review

By Joe Shields published 16 May 22

A handsomely equipped Z690 flagship with an integrated water block for $1,149.99.

H610 Motherboard Roundup: i9-12900K Meets Sub-$120 Micro ATX

By Joe Shields published 11 May 22

H610 boards are good for mid-range processors, but struggle with the i9-12900K

Asus ROG Strix B660-A Gaming WIFI D4 Review: Sweet-Sounding Budget Bird

By Joe Shields published 29 April 22

Budget Strix comes well-equipped, with premium audio for $239.99.

ASRock B660 Steel Legend Review: Solid Features and Affordability

By Joe Shields published 25 April 22

Reasonable features for the price ($159), but this board struggles with heavily multi-threaded loads

Asus ROG Maximus Z690 Extreme and Extreme Glacial Motherboard Review

By Joe Shields published 16 April 22

To water cool, or not to water cool, that is the question.

Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Tachyon Review: Born to Overclock

By Joe Shields published 25 March 22

Designed for overclocking, but a well-rounded performer for $549.99.

MSI MPG Z690 Carbon EK X Motherboard Review: EK Block Included

By Joe Shields published 19 March 22

MSI’s Z690 Carbon EK X is a feature-rich board that includes a custom EK monoblock for $629.99.

ASRock Z690 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB4 Review: Thunderbolt, but Limited Expandability

By Joe Shields published 10 March 22

Two M.2 sockets, Thunderbolt 4, and Killer-based networking in a Mini-ITX form factor for $349.99.

MSI MEG Z690I Unify Review: ITX Dark Horse

By Joe Shields published 7 March 22

Three M.2 sockets, 4 SATA ports, and flagship audio in a Mini-ITX package for $399.99

EVGA Z690 Classified Review: Declassified Class

By Joe Shields published 3 March 22

Robust power delivery, horizontal connectors, three M.2 slots, and eight SATA ports for $629.99.

Asus Prime Z690-A Review: More USB, Please

By Joe Shields published 28 February 22

Four M.2 sockets, capable power delivery and quality audio at a reasonable $279.99.

Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Ultra Review: Ports and Value Aplenty

By Joe Shields published 21 February 22

The best Z690 board for around $349

ASRock Z690 PG Velocita Review: Expensive, but Capable

By Joe Shields published 19 February 22

ASRock’s Z690 PG Velocita offers PCIe 5.0 x2 M.2, Killer Networking, capable power delivery and more for $469.99.

Asus ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WiFi Review: PCIe 5.0 M.2 and 12 USB Ports

By Joe Shields published 8 February 22

Good looks and connectivity aplenty for $469.99

Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Master Review: Overbuilt, M.2 Abundance

By Joe Shields published 1 February 22

Upper Mid-range pricing ($469.99), with matching features and good looks

MSI X570S Carbon EK X Review: Carbon Under Water

By Joe Shields published 26 January 22

Easiest and cheapest entry into custom watercooling for your AMD Ryzen-based build.

MSI MAG B660M Mortar WIFI DDR4 Review: B660 Chipset Bliss?

By Joe Shields published 4 January 22

An inexpensive entry into Alder Lake, with full (stock) performance.

MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WIFI Review: Stealth Mode

By Joe Shields published 28 December 21

MSI’s Z690 Tomahawk brings a stealthy black appearance, four M.2 ports and other updates to Alder Lake for $309.99.

Asus TUF Gaming Z690-Plus WIFI D4 Review: Is DDR4 Good Enough?

By Joe Shields published 23 December 21

At $289.99, the Asus Z690-Plus WIFI D4 is a well-rounded board that will let you jump into Alder Lake for a lot less money by using DDR4.

Gigabyte Z690 Aero G DDR4 Review: Budget Board for Creators

By Joe Shields published 20 December 21

A well-rounded board for Creators, with plenty of storage and a low price

Biostar Z690 Valkyrie Review: Capable but Overpriced

By Joe Shields published 6 December 21

The Biostar Z690 Valkyrie has four M.2 sockets and eight SATA ports, 105A VRMs, a last-gen premium audio codec and 2.5 GbE. At $599.99, it’s capable but overpriced.