“A system that looks like the one you had as a kid.” — This PC fuses 90s throwback vibes with absolute spec overkill

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Modern gaming computers are now more than just functional devices; they’ve evolved into stunning masterpieces. Devoted enthusiasts invest substantial amounts of money to personalize these systems, and this is prior to considering the top-tier components required to run high-performance games.

As a researcher immersed in the digital realm, I enthusiastically affirm that my present setup, a harmonious blend of glass, metal, and silicon, exudes a gentle glow during gaming sessions, a sight that never fails to captivate me. Although it’s a remarkable leap from the PCs I interacted with in my formative years, there remains an unspoken bond between us, a connection rooted in shared memories of coding, problem-solving, and digital exploration.

My first experiences with PC gaming go as far back as 1996. A friend from childhood had an older brother who was enthusiastic about PC gaming, and he shared a gaming system with his siblings that centered around the well-known 386 processor.

Back then, we weren’t certain about what else was inside that computer, but it managed to run both Sim City and Wolfenstein 3D, which was more than enough for us. I can still vividly remember the appearance of that PC, with its faded beige panels arranged horizontally, slots for disks on the front, and a large CRT monitor perched atop.

That old PC is what first popped into my head when I saw Maingear’s new Retro95 custom build.

Maingear’s new Retro95 custom gaming PC is a tribute to my childhood

The Retro95 PC by Maingear can be described as a nostalgic nod to the ’90s, but with the power of 2025 technology, making it an exceptional blend of retro charm and modern performance.

Speaking as someone who grew up in the ’80s and got hooked on gaming during the mid-’90s, I wholeheartedly agree with Maingear’s statement that their PC is tailor-made for my era. It’s like they’ve crafted a machine that perfectly encapsulates our shared gaming history and technical needs.

One instance that comes to mind is the old days when you’d pack up your computer for a ride in your mom’s car, en route to a LAN gathering with your pals. Back then, games were distributed on floppy disks and using the internet meant that the phone line would be unavailable for others at home.

Maingear’s CEO, Wallace Santos, says:

This announcement is dedicated to gamers who carried CRT televisions to LAN events, exchanged game disks for different levels, and relied on magazines for gaming updates. The Retro95 launch is our tribute to the golden age of gaming, offering a system that resembles the one you used as a child but performs like a high-end MAINGEAR PC built today.

Maingear skillfully embodies vintage aesthetics. The front, adorned with disguised modern input-output ports that resemble floppy disk drives, leads to the green status lights and colossal power/reset buttons on top, giving an impression as if the Retro95 has just traveled through a time machine.

This build by Maingear is truly a hidden gem, offering customization options that would bring tears of nostalgia to any ’90s gaming enthusiast.

The base model for the Retro95 costs $1,599, but Maingear allows you to customize it. You could upgrade it to an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, an NVIDIA RTX 5080 GPU, 96GB of DDR5 RAM, and 8TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage. If you have some old DVDs, you can even add a DVD drive to your custom configuration.

In simpler terms, how well does this high-performance hardware function within a traditional case? To address this issue, Maingear placed two large Noctua fans at opposite ends of the horizontally arranged setup, creating a flow of air similar to that in a contemporary PC.

Time will tell if the cooling system functions effectively, but Maingear is known for not compromising on crucial elements in their designs.

Recently, I had the opportunity to evaluate Maingear’s MG-1 pre-built gaming PC. Not only did it receive the Windows Central Best Award, but in my review, I highlighted that it’s nearly as good as building your own system due to its meticulous construction and use of industry-standard components.

Just as the MG-1, Maingear claims that their Retro95 computers are meticulously crafted by hand in New Jersey. They come with a standard one-year warranty, which can be extended to three years.

Though you might not be in the market for a fresh gaming PC at this moment, I strongly recommend taking a peek at the Maingear Retro95 to fully grasp its features and capabilities.

In case you’re on the lookout for a pre-built PC instead of assembling one yourself, be aware that there are only a few Retro95 PCs up for grabs. If you’re interested, it would be wise to check them out right away before they run out.

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2025-07-23 15:39