American premium system manufacturer Maingear has unveiled a limited edition series of desktop computers, the Retro98, designed in a 1990s style.
The computers are housed in classic beige SilverStone FLP02 cases. Designers have retained key attributes of the time: The front panel features three bays for 5.25-inch drives, a bright red power switch, and even a physical lock and key to prevent rebooting. A unique feature is the Turbo button, which in its modern interpretation does not overclock the processor but activates maximum cooling for the components.
Despite the ancient appearance, top-level components lie within: The base version at $2500 includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and GeForce RTX 5070; the advanced version at $5000 features the newest Ryzen 7 9850X3D, GeForce RTX 5090, and 32 GB DDR5-6000. The Alpha version at $9800 is a workstation based on the Ryzen 9 9950X3D with 64 GB of RAM, 4TB SSD, and a custom liquid cooling system from Alphacool.
The series’ print run is extremely limited; Maingear will release only 32 standard units of the Retro98 and 5 systems in the Alpha version.
Recent months have seen a surge in interest in retro designs, with Maingear’s Retro98 gaining accolades for its unique blend of nostalgia and performance. According to industry experts, such limited series releases tap into a growing market of enthusiasts craving both cutting-edge performance and the charm of bygone designs. Additionally, the press reception highlights Maingear’s smart approach in keeping the price competitive whilst delivering premium features.
