The PC I WISH I Had - Retro98
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Description
Add another layer to your internet privacy toolkit. Get an exclusive deal on Private Internet Access VPN today at piavpn.com Remember the 90s? Me neither, but apparently PCs used to look like this so when Plouffe saw Maingear was making new retro sleeper build PCs, he knew he needed the nostalgic blast with the power of today's tech.
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Check out the Maingear Retro98: lmg.gg Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg Thanks to our channel partner Secretlab! - Grab a TITAN Evo ergonomic gaming chair: lmg.gg - Grab a MAGNUS Pro sit/stand gaming table: lmg.gg ► SHOP OUR PRODUCTS: lttstore.com ► GET A VPN: piavpn.com ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Affiliate links powered in part by affilimate.com Studio lighting by Aputure: aputure.com Linus Sebastian is an investor in Framework Computer, Inc and HexOS by Eshtek. CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Plouffe was young once 0:18 Unboxing 2:22 Configurations, specs, and design impressions 11:06 Sponsor - PIA 11:33 Starting it up and the TURBO BUTTON 14:24 Playing games and LABS thermal/performance test results 16:00 Pricing and overall thoughts 17:09 Outro
The video opens with Floof recalling the late 1990s computer era as a framing for the Maingear Retro98, a modern sleeper PC built in a retro-flavored Silverstone chassis. He notes how the case employs a retro aesthetic with subtle nods to 90s hardware while packing today’s components, including an RTX 5070 and an AMD Core Ultra 7 265K across different configurations. Early on, he digs into the packaging, noting that the foam and box presentation are decent but a bit rough on arrival, which sets a practical tone for evaluating the build quality and internal layout. He then walks through the front panel and drive bays, highlighting features like the hidden top IO, a turbo button, and a lockable power switch that can safeguard the system, which blends nostalgia with functional modernity. As he delves into the internals, Floof examines the cable management, GPU mounting, and the 360 mm AIO cooler, emphasizing how Maingear merges classic styling with modern hardware and build conveniences such as thumb screws and clean cable routing. The video proceeds to test performance, showing Cyberpunk and other titles at 1080p with ray tracing settings, and it discusses the impact of enabling XMP on memory speed and the turbo mode on cooling noise, which remains audible but controlled enough for practical use. He concludes by weighing price and value, noting that the base Retro98 offers solid value at around $2,500 but that the top Alpha variant with a higher-end GPU can approach steep pricing, with thoughtful recommendations about case choices and upgrade paths, ultimately expressing enthusiasm for the concept and his desire to own a Retro98-like system himself.
Topics · technology · hardware · unboxing · gaming · review · sleeper_pc · prebuilt_pc · computer_hardware
Questions answered
- What makes the Retro98 a sleeper PC compared to typical builds?
- It combines a retro-inspired exterior with modern components, features like a turbo button and lockable power switch, and clean cable management to deliver strong performance without flashy RGB dominance.
- What configurations does the Retro98 offer and which one was reviewed?
- There are multiple configurations with options like RTX 5070 and various AMD X3D CPUs. The reviewed unit in the video uses an RTX 5070 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K in the lowest tier, with other tiers offering AMD CPUs.