The Retro98 from MAINGEAR is a beige retro tower that hides the latest gaming hardware. It’s designed for anyone who wants the late ’90s desktop look without sacrificing today’s performance.
Prices start at $2,499 for an RTX 5070 version, then rise to $3,499 for an RTX 5080 and $4,999 for an RTX 5090. Retro98 Alpha tops the list at $9,799, combining an RTX 5090 with an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, 64GB DDR5 and a 4TB SSD.
This is also a scarcity game, limited to a total of 38 units, split into 32 standard systems and six Retro98 Alpha builds. The listing refers to the system as “Quickship,” but doesn’t specify an exact shipping window or regional availability, which is important if you’re close to purchasing a new release.
Built like a real sleeper
Retro98 sells the fairing first and then backs it up with real specs. There’s even a working turbo button on the front.
In the standard range, MAINGEAR sticks with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and 32 GB of DDR5 memory. From there, graphics and storage are the real choice. The RTX 5070 model ships with a 2TB SSD, while the 5080 and 5090 models move to a 4TB SSD – a handy advantage if you have a large library installed.
Alpha is the showcase version. It adds the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and doubles the storage to 64GB. It then blends into the presentation with water-cooled details such as a 5.25-inch bay reservoir and classic-style braided cables.
The price ladder quickly becomes steep
If you compare the standard tiers, the CPU and memory remain the same at each price point. Check out and compare the best gaming desktops available today.
Alpha is harder to justify on parts alone when the jump over the standard RTX 5090 build is almost five thousand. You’re paying for the custom loop look, the rarer spec sheet and the fact that there are only six examples.
What you should consider before purchasing
The biggest missing detail is timing. Quickship is mentioned, but the listing doesn’t specify when and where it ships, and that can make or break the purchase if you have a deadline.
The clearer decision is which version suits your life. If you want the Retro98 look with strong modern performance, the standard levels keep the concept simple. If you want the most suitable build for display, you should look at the alpha version, which is the easiest to miss. Choose your level early, because a total of 38 units won’t be long in coming.
