Maingear Retro98 Gaming PC: Nostalgia Meets Modern Power [2025]

Q: How much does the Retro 98 cost?

The Retro 98 pricing ranges from $2,499 for the base configuration to $9,799 for the fully-loaded Alpha build with open-loop liquid cooling. There are also two standard mid-tier configurations priced at $3,499 and $4,999. The high pricing reflects both the premium components and the limited-production, hand-built nature of the system.

Maingear's Retro 98: When Nostalgia Becomes a $9,799 Statement

There's something deliciously contradictory about a gaming PC that looks like it belongs in a Comp USA clearance bin in 1998, but costs more than a used car and packs components that would make today's gaming rigs jealous. That's exactly what Maingear is banking on with the Retro 98, and honestly, the audacity of the concept is almost as impressive as the hardware inside.

I spent the last few weeks learning everything about this machine, and here's what struck me most: this isn't just a novelty box with decent components slapped inside. The Retro 98 represents something genuinely interesting in PC gaming right now—a moment where builders are realizing that form factor doesn't have to dictate performance, and that people will actually pay premium prices for machines that make them smile.

The Retro 98 starts at

2,499 for a base configuration and climbs all the way to

9,799 for the "Alpha" fully-loaded version with open-loop liquid cooling. That's an absurd range, and it tells you something important: Maingear knows exactly who this is for. It's for people who have disposable income, who grew up in the 90s, and who want to make a statement in their gaming setup that goes beyond RGB lighting and tempered glass panels.

But here's the thing that makes this more interesting than just another gaming PC: Maingear is only making 38 of them total. Thirty-two standard units and six Alpha variants. Once they're gone, they're gone. The company explicitly says they won't revisit this design. That artificial scarcity isn't just good marketing—it fundamentally changes how you should think about this machine.

The Design Philosophy That Actually Works

Let's talk about the elephant in the room first: the case design. The Retro 98 is based on the SilverStone FLP02 tower, but Maingear has customized it to look like a machine that might have sat on a desk next to a CRT monitor and a mouse pad with a semi-transparent gel that glowed under a desk lamp. We're talking authentic beige plastic, the kind that yellowed naturally over decades but somehow looks intentional on this modern build.

The front of the case features a working turbo button. Remember those? They actually did something on old systems—they'd overclock your processor slightly when you needed that extra speed bump for gaming. On the Retro 98, it's purely cosmetic, but it's the kind of detail that makes you smile every time you walk past your desk. There's also an LED fan-speed display that mimics the old-school indicators you'd find on vintage systems, and a power-lockout key that actually controls whether the machine can be turned on.

The port arrangement is hidden behind the Maingear logo on the front, maintaining that clean, uncluttered aesthetic that 90s PC design was actually known for. There's no aggressive branding, no weird angular cuts, no gamer-aesthetic nonsense. It just looks like a computer from a different era.

What's genuinely clever about this approach is that it works. You'd expect a case styled this way to feel like a gimmick, something that would look silly after a week. But the execution is solid enough that it actually enhances the appeal rather than detracting from it. The design is unapologetically retro without being kitsch.

Performance That Doesn't Match the Aesthetic

Now, where this gets genuinely interesting is where the 1998 exterior meets 2025 hardware. The base model comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card. That's not entry-level gaming hardware—that's solid mid-to-high-range performance that'll handle 1440p gaming at high settings with frame rates that would have seemed impossible to 90s gamers.

But the real star of the show is what happens when you move up the tiers. The top-end standard configuration features a Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor paired with a GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card. For context, the RTX 5090 is Nvidia's flagship consumer graphics card—this isn't a card for compromises. You're looking at 4K gaming at ultra settings, streaming while gaming, running multiple applications simultaneously without breaking a sweat.

The system ships with 64GB of Kingston Fury RAM, which is honestly overkill for gaming but perfect if you're doing any content creation or heavy multitasking alongside your gaming sessions. The storage is even more impressive: 4TB of Kingston FURY Renegade NVMe Gen 5 SSD, which means load times measured in milliseconds rather than seconds.

For the Alpha build—the $9,799 version—Maingear adds an open-loop liquid cooling system to keep those high-end components running cool under sustained load. This is where things get genuinely impressive from a thermal perspective. Open-loop systems offer better cooling than air cooling, which matters when you're running a 9950X3D at full load during gaming sessions.

The Pricing Reality

Let's be direct about this: the Retro 98 is expensive. The base model at

2,499 is already more than most people spend on a complete gaming setup. There are two additional standard tiers at

3,499 and

4,999. Then there's the Alpha at

9,799, which positions it in a price range where you're making a genuine investment decision rather than just buying a computer.

For comparison, you could build a functionally identical system yourself for probably 15-20% less than Maingear's asking price. The SilverStone FLP02 case that the Retro 98 is based on costs around $300-400. The components are all consumer-available and not particularly marked up. So what are you actually paying for with the Retro 98?

You're paying for the integration, the testing, and the limited production run. Maingear builds these by hand and verifies each one before it ships. You're also paying for the aesthetic and the brand association. But most importantly, you're paying for the exclusivity. When only 38 of these things exist worldwide, the scarcity premium becomes very real.

That's not to say the pricing is unreasonable—it's just a different value proposition than buying components separately. You're getting a curated experience, not just a list of specs.

The Case Design Is Actually Buildable

Here's something important that Maingear mentioned: the Retro 98 is based on the SilverStone FLP02 case, which means if you wanted to build your own retro-inspired gaming PC, you could. The case is available for purchase independently, and all the components are standard consumer hardware.

This opens up an interesting DIY angle. You could source the FLP02 case, purchase the same components (or similar ones at different price points), and build a functionally equivalent machine for significantly less money. You wouldn't get Maingear's custom branding, the hand-built assembly, or the warranty support, but you'd get the aesthetic and most of the performance.

That said, assembly and testing aren't trivial. Maingear is providing value through their expertise. If you're not comfortable building your own PC, managing compatibility issues, and troubleshooting problems, the premium they're charging suddenly becomes more defensible.

The Limited Production Run Changes Everything

Maingear explicitly states that the Retro 98 production run is finite and permanent. Thirty-two standard units. Six Alpha units. That's it. After these 38 machines sell out, Maingear won't be making more, regardless of demand.

This artificial scarcity is doing something interesting to the value proposition. A

2,499 gaming PC is expensive but defensible from a specifications perspective. A

2,499 gaming PC that only 38 people will own worldwide suddenly becomes something with collectible appeal.

That doesn't mean you should buy one as an investment—the gaming PC market is brutal for holding value. But it does mean that unlike every other gaming PC on the market, this one has a hard ceiling on how many exist. That's genuinely rare in consumer electronics.

For collectors or people who care deeply about owning something limited-edition, this changes the calculus significantly. You're not just buying performance; you're buying exclusivity.

Target Audience: Who Actually Buys This Thing?

Let's be honest about who the Retro 98 is actually for. The starting price of $2,499 eliminates anyone buying a gaming PC for budget reasons. The 1998 aesthetic specifically appeals to people who grew up in that era—millennials primarily, with some Gen X overlap.

More importantly, this is a machine for people who care about aesthetics and nostalgia as much as they care about performance. You could buy a more powerful machine for less money from vendors like NZXT or Corsair. But you wouldn't get the beige tower, the turbo button, the power lockout key, or the knowledge that only 37 other people own the exact same thing.

There's also a specific gamer psychology at play here. These are people who grew up playing Quake, Doom, Half-Life, and StarCraft. They have fond memories of LAN parties in the late 90s and early 2000s. They want to recreate that aesthetic but with modern performance because they've grown up and now have disposable income.

The machine works as both a gaming system and a statement piece. It sits on your desk as a conversation starter. People who remember that era will immediately get the reference. Younger gamers will either find it hilarious or confusing.

Modern Gaming Performance in a Retro Package

Here's the essential disconnect that makes the Retro 98 interesting: you're putting cutting-edge 2025 hardware inside a case that aesthetic belongs in 1998. That creates this fascinating tension where the performance capabilities are wildly mismatched with what the exterior suggests.

With the RTX 5090 configuration, you're looking at frame rates and visual quality that would have seemed like pure fantasy in 1998. 4K gaming at 120+ fps is possible on demanding titles. Ray tracing and DLSS technology that barely existed a few years ago. Simultaneous streaming while gaming without any performance hits.

The humor and appeal of the Retro 98 depends partly on this gap between expectation and reality. You expect to open that beige case and find hardware from 1998. Instead, you find something that could power professional workstations and professional content creation workflows.

The Thermal Considerations

One thing that often gets overlooked with high-performance systems is thermal management. The Retro 98 addresses this in interesting ways depending on configuration.

For the base and mid-tier builds, Maingear uses traditional air cooling with high-quality fans. The SilverStone FLP02 case was designed with airflow in mind despite its compact footprint, so cable management and thermal performance are actually decent.

For the Alpha build at $9,799, the open-loop liquid cooling system becomes much more relevant. Liquid cooling provides superior thermal performance compared to air cooling, especially when you're running a 9950X3D under sustained load during gaming sessions or content creation work.

Open-loop systems also tend to run more quietly than high-performance air coolers, which is a benefit if you care about noise levels. The trade-off is complexity and the need for periodic maintenance—you need to refill the coolant and clean the blocks periodically.

Software and BIOS Considerations

While the hardware is impressive, it's worth noting that the Retro 98 ships with Windows (presumably Windows 11 or Windows 12 by the time you read this). There's no custom BIOS tweaking or overclocking profiles from Maingear—you're getting a standard system that you can modify yourself if you're comfortable doing so.

For the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, AMD includes Ryzen Master software for overclocking and performance tuning. For the RTX 5090, NVIDIA's driver software provides control over power limits and performance settings. Neither of these is particularly special to the Retro 98—they're standard tools that come with the hardware.

If you want to push the hardware further, there's room to do so. But out of the box, Maingear is delivering a system that's configured conservatively to ensure stability and reliability across a range of workloads.

The DIY Alternative and Total Cost of Ownership

As mentioned, you could theoretically build your own Retro 98 alternative by sourcing the SilverStone FLP02 case and assembling components yourself. Let's break down the economics.

The FLP02 case runs around

350-400. The <a href="https://www.technetbooks.com/2025/12/amd-ryzen-9-9950x3d2-and-ryzen-7.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor</a> (the high-end chip) costs roughly

550-700 depending on sales. An RTX 5090 is around

1,999-2,200. 64GB of Kingston Fury RAM is around

150-200. A 4TB NVMe Gen 5 SSD is approximately

300-400. A quality open-loop cooling kit with pump, blocks, radiator, and reservoir might run

400-600.

Adding that up: roughly

4,050-

5,500 in components for the equivalent of the high-end standard build, or

4,450-

6,100 for the Alpha equivalent. That's a significant savings compared to the $9,799 Maingear is charging.

However, that math assumes you have the expertise to assemble everything correctly, manage compatibility issues, test the system thoroughly, and provide your own support. For many people, the Maingear premium represents insurance against those potential headaches.

Warranty and Support

Maingear is providing warranty support on the Retro 98, though the exact terms weren't detailed in the available information. As a custom builder, they typically offer better support than you'd get buying components separately and having to work with multiple manufacturers if something goes wrong.

If a component fails, Maingear is your single point of contact. They handle the warranty claim and component replacement without you having to navigate the RMA process with the individual component manufacturer. That's worth something, though it's hard to quantify until you actually need it.

The Nostalgia Factor Is Real

This might sound obvious, but the nostalgia factor is actually the entire value proposition of the Retro 98. You could buy a more powerful machine. You could buy a machine with better thermal performance. You could buy a machine that's cheaper.

But you couldn't buy a machine that makes you feel like you're back in your dorm room in 2000, except with a graphics card that costs more than your first car and a processor with more cores than most servers had back then.

That emotional appeal shouldn't be dismissed. Nostalgia is a real value. People willingly pay premium prices for experiences and products that make them feel something. The Retro 98 delivers that.

What You're Actually Getting for Your Money

Let's cut through the marketing and be clear about the value proposition. You're getting:

High-performance gaming hardware that will handle any modern game at high frame rates and high settings. This is legitimate value.
An aesthetically distinctive case that stands out and makes a statement. This is subjective value that matters if you care about aesthetics.
Hand-built assembly and testing from a reputable builder. This provides reliability assurance.
Exclusivity—only 38 of these exist worldwide. This provides rarity value.
A conversation starter and a connection to computing nostalgia. This provides emotional value.

If you value all five of those things, the Retro 98 becomes significantly more attractive. If you only care about #1, then you're paying a premium for aesthetics and exclusivity that doesn't serve your interests.

The Broader Context: Custom Gaming PCs in 2025

The Retro 98 exists in a broader market where custom gaming PCs have become increasingly mainstream. Builders like NZXT, iBuyPower, and ABS aren't niche anymore—they're legitimate competitors to building your own.

But there's also a market for more boutique builders who offer something different. Origin PC focuses on gaming performance. Falcon Northwest is known for extreme high-end builds. Maingear is positioning the Retro 98 as a lifestyle product more than a pure performance product.

This is smart positioning. Pure performance is a race to the bottom in terms of pricing. Unique aesthetics and limited production create value that doesn't erode as quickly as performance specs do.

Future-Proofing and Component Longevity

One interesting aspect of the Retro 98 is that despite its retro aesthetic, the internals are built with components that will be relevant for years. The RTX 5090 is a flagship graphics card that will remain powerful through 2026 and likely beyond for high-end gaming.

The Ryzen 9 9950X3D is similarly positioned as a long-term performer. These aren't components that will be obsolete in 18 months. You're buying a machine that will remain capable for at least 3-5 years of high-end gaming without major upgrades.

Of course, the aesthetic is what really ages in this scenario. The beige plastic, the turbo button, the power lockout key—those will never feel dated because they're intentionally designed to feel like they're from 1998. In that sense, the machine is future-proofed in a way that most gaming PCs aren't.

The Question of Regret

Here's something worth thinking about before dropping

2,499 to

9,799 on the Retro 98: how will you feel about this purchase in 2 years? In 5 years?

For people who are genuinely nostalgic about 1998 computing and who appreciate the craftsmanship and limited production, the answer is probably positive. This is the kind of machine that gets displayed prominently on a gaming setup, that gets shown to friends, that becomes a conversation piece.

For people who are doing impulse buying based on the novelty of the design or the hype of limited production, the regret risk is higher. Once you get past the novelty of the retro case, you're left with a high-end gaming PC that costs more than alternatives with similar performance.

The Bottom Line on Value

The Retro 98 is objectively overpriced in terms of pure performance-per-dollar. You could build a functionally identical machine for significantly less money. That's not a secret—Maingear doesn't pretend otherwise.

What you're paying for is the total package: aesthetics, brand, craftsmanship, support, and exclusivity. If those things matter to you, the value proposition becomes much clearer. If they don't, you should probably look elsewhere.

For people who care deeply about owning something that's unique, limited-production, and tied to a specific era of computing that they have emotional connections to, the Retro 98 is genuinely compelling despite the high price.

Where to Buy and Current Availability

The Retro 98 is available directly from Maingear's website. You can configure your preferred specifications and order from there. Given the limited production run of 38 units total, availability is guaranteed to be limited.

As of the time this article is written, Maingear is actively taking orders. But with only 32 standard units and 6 Alpha variants being produced, these will sell out. The company has explicitly stated they won't make more once the initial run is exhausted.

If you're seriously interested in the Retro 98, it's worth acting relatively quickly. Buying a limited-production item means you're competing with other interested buyers for a finite inventory.

Related Products Worth Considering

If the Retro 98 appeals to you but the price doesn't, there are alternatives worth exploring. The SilverStone FLP02 case is available independently if you want the retro aesthetic without the Maingear branding and premium. Various other builders offer high-end gaming PCs with more aggressive pricing structures.

There are also less expensive retro-themed cases available from various manufacturers. The aesthetic appeal of retro computing can be achieved at lower price points if you're willing to compromise on the premium components and limited-production exclusivity.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

Beyond the specifics of the Retro 98, this machine represents something interesting in the gaming PC market. It shows that there's legitimate demand for products that combine nostalgia, craftsmanship, and limited production. It's not just about specs and performance anymore—it's about the story, the aesthetic, and the emotional connection.

That's a healthy sign for the market. It means builders are thinking beyond just pushing the performance envelope and are instead considering how to create meaningful, memorable products that people actually want to own and display.

The Retro 98 might be a niche product, but it's a niche product that's very well-executed and very deliberately targeted at a specific audience. That's good design and good business strategy.

FAQ

What is the Maingear Retro 98?

The Maingear Retro 98 is a limited-production gaming PC that combines a 1998-style beige case aesthetic with modern high-performance components. The system is hand-built by Maingear and features authentic retro styling elements like a working turbo button, power-lockout key, and LED fan-speed display, while housing contemporary hardware like the RTX 5090 graphics card and Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor. Only 38 units are being produced worldwide, making it a genuinely exclusive product.

How much does the Retro 98 cost?

The Retro 98 pricing ranges from

2,499 for the base configuration to

9,799 for the fully-loaded Alpha build with open-loop liquid cooling. There are also two standard mid-tier configurations priced at

3,499 and

4,999. The high pricing reflects both the premium components and the limited-production, hand-built nature of the system.

What components does the Retro 98 include?

The base model features an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor and RTX 5070 graphics card. Higher tiers include configurations with Ryzen 9 9950X3D processors and RTX 5090 graphics cards. All models include Kingston Fury RAM (up to 64GB) and Kingston FURY Renegade NVMe Gen 5 SSDs (up to 4TB). The Alpha build adds an open-loop liquid cooling system for superior thermal performance.

Why is the Retro 98 so expensive?

The Retro 98's pricing reflects several factors: premium components (graphics cards and processors that cost $2,000+), hand-built assembly and testing by Maingear, limited production of only 38 units worldwide, and the aesthetic and brand value associated with owning an exclusive, nostalgic product. While you could build a functionally similar system yourself for less money, the Retro 98 includes built-in support, warranty service, and the exclusivity of owning one of only 38 produced.

Can I build my own version of the Retro 98?

Yes, the Retro 98 is based on the SilverStone FLP02 case, which is available for independent purchase. You can source the same components and assemble your own retro-inspired gaming PC for significantly less money than Maingear's pricing. However, you would need PC-building expertise, would lose the hand-built assembly and Maingear's support, and wouldn't have the official branding or warranty protection that comes with the Maingear version.

Will Maingear make more Retro 98 systems after these 38 are sold?

No. Maingear has explicitly stated that the Retro 98 is a limited run of 38 units (32 standard, 6 Alpha variants) and will not be produced again after these sell out. Once inventory is exhausted, the machine will no longer be available, which adds to its exclusivity and collectible appeal.

What gaming performance can I expect from the Retro 98?

With the RTX 5090 configuration, you can expect 4K gaming at ultra settings with frame rates of 100+ fps on demanding titles. Even the base RTX 5070 model will handle 1440p gaming at high settings with excellent frame rates. The system is capable of supporting multiple simultaneous applications, streaming while gaming, and any content creation workflows you might need alongside your gaming sessions.

Is the Retro 98 suitable for content creation beyond gaming?

Absolutely. With up to 64GB of RAM, a powerful processor, and substantial GPU compute capabilities, the Retro 98 is excellent for video editing, 3D rendering, machine learning work, and other creative applications. The high-end configurations are actually overspecified for gaming alone and would benefit professional creators, making this a versatile workstation disguised as a gaming PC.

How does the open-loop cooling on the Alpha model work?

The Alpha build includes an open-loop liquid cooling system that circulates liquid through blocks attached to the CPU and potentially the GPU, with heat dissipated through a radiator. This provides superior cooling compared to air cooling, allowing for better sustained performance under load and typically quieter operation than high-performance air coolers. The trade-off is that open-loop systems require periodic maintenance to refill coolant and clean components.

Where can I buy the Retro 98?

The Retro 98 is available exclusively from Maingear's official website. You can configure your preferred specifications and place an order directly from their site. Given the extremely limited production run of only 38 units, these will inevitably sell out, so if you're seriously interested, acting relatively quickly is advisable.

Key Takeaways

Maingear's Retro98 combines authentic 1998 tower aesthetics (beige plastic, turbo button, power-lockout key) with contemporary high-performance components including RTX 5090 graphics and Ryzen 9 9950X3D processors
Only 38 units are being produced (32 standard, 6 Alpha variants), making this a genuinely exclusive product that won't be revived after selling out
Pricing ranges from
$2,499 base to$
9,799 for the fully-loaded Alpha build, with the premium justified by hand-built assembly, support, and scarcity rather than performance-per-dollar alone
The system delivers legitimate 4K gaming at ultra settings with 100+ fps, making it capable not just for gaming but also professional content creation and creative workflows
You could build a functionally equivalent DIY version using the SilverStone FLP02 case and similar components for 15-20% less, but would sacrifice official support and the Maingear brand cachet