Maingear's Retro98 Prebuilt Gaming PC Combines 90s Nostalgia with 2026 Performance

Maingear has unveiled the Retro98, a limited-edition prebuilt gaming PC that pays homage to the beige towers of the late 1990s while packing modern hardware capable of handling today's most demanding games. The Retro98 is built around the SilverStone FLP02 tower case, featuring the iconic beige color scheme that dominated computer desks in the 90s, but houses components that wouldn't have been imaginable during that era.

Four Configurations to Choose From The Retro98 comes in four distinct configurations, each targeting different performance levels and budgets:

• Retro98 | 5070: Starting at $2,499 with Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and RTX 5070
• Retro98 | 5080: Priced at $3,499 with AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and RTX 5080
• Retro98 | 5090: At $4,999 featuring the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and RTX 5090
• Retro98α: The top-tier $9,799 liquid-cooled system with Ryzen 9 9950X3D and RTX 5090

The mid-range $4,999 configuration is particularly noteworthy as it's one of the first prebuilt systems to feature the newly announced AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor, which becomes available for individual orders on January 29th.

Retro98 | 5090 Specifications The $4,999 Retro98 | 5090 configuration includes:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
• Cooling: Maingear EPIC 360mm AIO
• RAM: 32GB Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 6000MT/s CL32
• Storage: 2TB Gen5 NVMe SSD
• Motherboard: MSI X870E Gaming Plus WiFi
• PSU: MSI 850W G
• OS: Windows 11 Home

Design Features That Channel the 90s The Retro98's exterior design is packed with nostalgic touches that will resonate with PC enthusiasts who grew up in the 90s:

• LED Fan Speed Readout: A digital display on the front panel shows real-time fan speeds
• Turbo Button: A physical button that increases fan speeds for maximum cooling
• Power Lockout Key: A physical key prevents unauthorized system reboots
• Customizable 5.25-inch Drive Bays: Three bays that can be configured for various purposes
• Ketchup-and-Mustard Cable Sleeves: Colorful cable management that matches the retro aesthetic
• Hidden Front I/O: Ports are concealed behind the Maingear logo for a clean look

The system also features a bright red power switch that's impossible to miss and anti-kink coils on the tubing for the liquid-cooled variants.

The Retro98α: Ultimate Performance with Open-Loop Cooling For enthusiasts seeking the absolute best performance, the $9,799 Retro98α configuration includes:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
• Cooling: Custom Alphacool open-loop liquid cooling system with dual radiators (360mm + 240mm)
• RAM: 64GB Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 6000MT/s CL32
• Storage: 4TB Kingston Fury Renegade NVMe Gen5 SSD
• Motherboard: ASRock PG X870E Nova WiFi
• PSU: XPG Fusion 1600W Titanium
• OS: Windows 11 Pro

Limited Availability Creates Exclusivity Maingear is producing only 32 standard Retro98 units plus an additional 5 alpha units, making this a truly limited-edition release. Once sold out, Maingear has confirmed there will be no reruns, adding to the collectibility of these systems.

Broader AMD X3D Adoption The release of the Retro98 coincides with Maingear's announcement that the AMD Ryzen 9 9850X3D is now available across its entire gaming and workstation lineup, including the MG-1, North, Rush, shroud, and Force series. This allows customers to customize any Maingear system with the latest X3D technology.

Who Is This For? The Retro98 appeals to multiple audiences:

• Nostalgia Seekers: Those who want to relive the 90s PC gaming experience with modern performance
• Collectors: Limited production numbers make these systems potentially valuable in the future
• Performance Enthusiasts: The top-tier configurations offer cutting-edge hardware
• Showpiece Builders: The unique design makes for an eye-catching addition to any setup

The Retro98 is available now exclusively through Maingear's website, with configurations starting at $2,499. Given the limited production run, interested buyers should act quickly to secure one of these unique systems that bridge the gap between retro aesthetics and modern gaming performance.

Source: Maingear Press Release