Maingear has unleashed the Retro98 series, a limited-edition lineup of gaming PCs that nail the nostalgic beige box aesthetic of ’90s rigs while cramming in top-tier 2026 hardware like the freshly launched AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and NVIDIA RTX 5090. Built in SilverStone’s FLP02 chassis with functional turbo buttons (for max fan speed), big red toggles, ketchup-and-mustard cables, and 5.25″ bay covers, these “nostalgic sleepers” blend retro charm with beastly performance—perfect for PC builders chasing that LAN party feel without skimping on modern frames. Prices kick off at $2,499 for the base Retro98 (AIO-cooled), topping out at $9,799 for the open-loop Retro98α co-developed with Alphacool—grab ’em quick, as only 32 standard units and 6 alphas exist.
Retro Design Meets Cutting-Edge Cooling and Features
The Retro98 channels ’98 with its boxy SilverStone FLP02 case, complete with authentic textures and front-panel flair—but inside, it’s all 2026: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and airflow from dual 120mm front intakes, a rear exhaust, and three top fans for the radiator. Choose AIO for the standard model or Alphacool’s custom open-loop for the α—both handle beasts like RTX 5090 without breaking a sweat. Motherboards are MSI Z890 (Intel) or X870E (AMD), with PSUs from 650W to 1600W 80+ Gold to match.
Configs: From Entry Beast to Overkill Alpha
| Model | CPU | GPU | RAM/Storage | Cooling | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retro98 | 5070 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265K | RTX 5070 | 32GB DDR5-6000 / 2TB Gen4 SSD | 360mm AIO |
| Retro98 | 5080 | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | RTX 5080 | 32GB DDR5-6000 / 2TB Gen4 SSD | 360mm AIO |
| Retro98 | 5090 | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | RTX 5090 | 32GB DDR5-6000 / 2TB Gen4 SSD | 360mm AIO |
| Retro98α | 5090 | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | RTX 5090 | 64GB DDR5-6000 / 4TB Gen5 SSD | Alphacool Open-Loop |
All run Windows 11 Home, with Kingston FURY RAM and NVMe SSDs for snappy loads.
Availability: Act Fast or Miss Out
These are true limited editions—only 32 Retro98 and 6 Retro98α units total, no reruns planned. Sales started January 29, 2026, via Maingear’s site—expect quick sell-outs like their Retro95 drop.
Why It Matters for PC Enthusiasts
In a sea of RGB towers, Retro98 revives the “beige box” sleeper vibe—1998 outside, 2026 inside—for LAN nostalgia without compromises. Perfect for collectors or builders dodging modern part shortages, but the limited run means it’s collector bait.
Community Reactions: Nostalgia Hits Hard
X and forums buzz with “finally, a non-RGB beast” praise—Windows Central calls it a “LAN party throwback,” while PetaPixel notes the ’90s glow-up. Some gripe at prices, but the limited alpha’s “overkill” appeals to high-rollers.
Snagging a Retro98 or building your own sleeper? Share in the comments—PCrunner’s got guides for retro mods!
Sources: Wccftech, VideoCardz, Maingear, PRNewswire, PetaPixel, Windows Central.
