MAINGEAR is tapping straight into late 1990s nostalgia with its new Retro98 desktop, a sleeper-style gaming PC that looks like it was pulled from an old computer lab but runs today’s most powerful hardware. The beige tower design is unmistakably retro, yet inside it packs cutting-edge components built for modern gaming and performance workloads.
The Retro98 lineup starts at $2,499 for a configuration powered by an RTX 5070. From there, pricing climbs to $3,499 for an RTX 5080 model and $4,999 for an RTX 5090 version. At the very top sits the Retro98 Alpha, a limited flagship build priced at $9,799. That system pairs Nvidia’s RTX 5090 with AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor, 64GB of DDR5 memory, and a 4TB solid-state drive, making it the most powerful option in the series.
MAINGEAR is also leaning into exclusivity. Only 38 units of the Retro98 will be produced in total, with 32 standard builds and just six Alpha systems available. While the company describes the machines as Quickship, it has not shared specific shipping timelines or regional availability, which could be an important factor for buyers planning around new hardware launches.
A true sleeper build with modern internals
The Retro98 is designed to sell the illusion first, then back it up with real performance. From the outside, it looks like a classic beige desktop, complete with a working turbo button on the front panel. Inside, though, it is anything but old-school.
All standard Retro98 models come equipped with AMD’s Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor and 32GB of DDR5 memory. The main differences across configurations come down to graphics power and storage capacity. The RTX 5070 version includes a 2TB SSD, while both the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 builds upgrade to a 4TB drive. That extra space makes sense for players with large game libraries or creators working with high-resolution files.
The Retro98 Alpha takes things further by upgrading to the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and doubling the memory to 64GB. It also focuses heavily on presentation, featuring a custom liquid cooling loop with a 5.25-inch bay reservoir and braided cables styled to match the system’s retro theme. The result is a machine that looks vintage on the outside but feels premium when you peek inside.
For buyers comparing options, it may help to look at other high-end systems listed among today’s best gaming desktop PCs, especially if raw performance per dollar is the top priority.
Pricing climbs quickly at the top end
Across the standard Retro98 models, the CPU and memory remain the same, which makes the graphics card the main factor driving price differences. The jump becomes much more dramatic when stepping up to the Alpha build.
While the Alpha offers more memory, a higher-end processor, and custom water cooling, the nearly $5,000 price increase over the standard RTX 5090 version is difficult to justify on components alone. Much of that cost comes down to exclusivity, custom craftsmanship, and the fact that only six Alpha units exist.
This makes the Alpha less about value and more about collectibility. Buyers are paying for rarity, visual appeal, and a unique system that very few people will ever own.
What buyers should keep in mind
One of the biggest unknowns surrounding the Retro98 is delivery timing. The Quickship label suggests fast fulfillment, but without clear shipping dates or supported regions, potential buyers may want to confirm details before committing, especially if they are upgrading around a specific release window.
Choosing the right version ultimately depends on priorities. The standard Retro98 models deliver strong modern performance while keeping the nostalgic aesthetic front and center. The Alpha, on the other hand, is aimed at enthusiasts who want a showpiece system that stands out both inside and out.
With production capped at just 38 units, availability will be limited. Anyone set on owning one of these retro-inspired machines will likely need to decide quickly before the remaining systems are gone.
