ASUS Unveils the World’s Most Expensive Graphics Card: ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition, Crafted with 6.5 Grams of Gold
On May 12, 2025, ASUS officially launched a luxurious Graphics Card designed for high-end gamers and collectors—the ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition. Priced at a staggering minimum of 50,000 RMb (approximately $7,000 USD) and up to 76,000 RMB (around $10,600 USD), this card has earned the title of the "world’s most expensive consumer-grade graphics card." Its standout feature is the incorporation of 6.5 grams of 24K gold plating, combined with Middle Eastern cultural elements, delivering an unparalleled blend of aesthetics and performance. Below is a detailed exploration of this opulent masterpiece that merges luxury with cutting-edge technology.
Luxurious Design: 6.5 Grams of 24K Gold and Middle Eastern Cultural Fusion
The ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition’s name, "Dhahab," meaning "gold" in Arabic, perfectly encapsulates its core appeal. The card’s exterior boasts a gold-colored casing adorned with emerald accents, featuring 6.5 grams of 24K gold plating. At current gold prices (approximately 769.4 RMB per gram), the gold alone is valued at nearly 5,000 RMB. This design not only exudes wealth and sophistication but also incorporates rich Middle Eastern cultural motifs.
ASUS revealed that the card’s design draws inspiration from the iconic skyscraper skylines of the Middle East, symbolizing the region’s evolution "from desert to sky." The card’s surface is etched with Arabic calligraphy, embodying the themes of "strength, courage, and unity," infusing it with profound cultural significance. The heatsink and backplate also feature a golden finish, complemented by intricately carved skyline silhouettes and camel motifs, creating a striking artistic aesthetic. This design appeals not only to high-end gamers in the Middle East but also to collectors worldwide.
During NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference, ASUS North America Marketing Director Ernest Cheng showcased a one-of-a-kind ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab OC Edition, personally signed by NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang with the inscription “RTX ON!” This signed version significantly enhances its collectible value. For reference, a Jensen Huang-signed RTX 4090 Platinum card was auctioned for $16,000 (approximately 116,000 RMB) in 2023, suggesting that this gold-plated edition could fetch an even higher price.
Top-Tier Performance: Matching the Standard RTX 5090’s Powerhouse Capabilities
Despite its extravagant exterior, the ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition doesn’t compromise on performance. It shares identical technical specifications with the standard ROG Astral RTX 5090, built on NVIDIA’s latest Blackwell architecture. Equipped with 32GB of GDDR7 memory, it delivers exceptional computational power for high-end gaming, content creation, and professional rendering tasks.
For thermal management, ASUS engineered a robust quad-fan cooling system, incorporating vapor chamber technology and high-density cooling fins to ensure stable performance under heavy loads. MaxContact technology and phase-change thermal pads further enhance heat dissipation, while a reinforced power delivery system and PCB protective coating guarantee durability and reliability. These cutting-edge features make the Dhahab Edition not only a work of art but also a performance beast, catering to the most demanding users.
Tailored for the Middle Eastern Market with Region-Specific Pricing
The ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition is primarily targeted at the Middle East, including markets like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, appealing to affluent gamers and collectors. Its pricing varies by region:
Saudi Arabia: 26,000 to 30,000 SAR (approximately 50,164 to 57,882 RMB).
Jordan: 5,000 JOD (approximately 50,974 RMB).
United Arab Emirates: Up to 38,800 AED (approximately 76,451 RMB).
Such a steep price positions this graphics card firmly in the luxury goods category. By comparison, the standard ROG Astral RTX 5090 starts at around 16,499 RMB, with the Dhahab Edition’s premium price driven by its exclusive gold plating and limited production.
Expanding the Lineup: ROG Astral RTX 5080 Dhahab Edition on the Horizon
To cater to a broader audience, ASUS plans to release a more affordable ROG Astral RTX 5080 Dhahab Edition. This model will retain the same luxurious design philosophy, including gold plating and Middle Eastern cultural elements, but will be based on the RTX 5080 chip, offering slightly lower performance than the RTX 5090. While pricing details are yet to be announced, it is expected to be more accessible than the RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition, appealing to players seeking a unique design on a tighter budget.
Market Reception and Collectible Value
Since its announcement, the ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition has sparked widespread discussion in the global tech community. Posts on the X platform highlight its exorbitant price and distinctive design, with some users dubbing it the “Midas GPU” for its “touch of gold” allure. Renowned tech YouTuber Linus Tech Tips showcased the card at Computex 2025, calling it “the rarest RTX 5090 in the world.”
While its price may deter mainstream gamers, the card’s exclusivity makes it a coveted item for wealthy Middle Eastern players and global hardware collectors. The Jensen Huang-signed edition, in particular, adds immense value for collectors, potentially commanding a premium in the auction market.
ASUS’s Brand Strategy: Blending Luxury with Innovation
The launch of the ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition underscores ASUS’s ability to innovate while targeting niche markets. By integrating Middle Eastern cultural elements with top-tier hardware, ASUS has successfully captured the attention of a specific audience. This “luxury + performance” strategy further solidifies the ROG brand’s leadership in the global high-end gaming market.
ASUS is also expanding its RTX 50 series lineup. Beyond the Dhahab Edition, the ROG Astral series includes water-cooled and air-cooled RTX 5090 D models, as well as high-performance RTX 5080 variants. Together, these products form ASUS’s formidable high-end graphics card portfolio for 2025, catering to diverse user needs.
Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Astral RTX 5090 Dhahab Edition redefines luxury in consumer-grade graphics cards with its 6.5 grams of 24K gold plating and Middle Eastern-inspired design. Priced between 50,000 and 76,000 RMB, it appeals to affluent gamers and collectors in the Middle East and beyond. Offering top-tier performance alongside unmatched aesthetics, this card is both a technological powerhouse and a collectible masterpiece. As ASUS prepares to launch the ROG Astral RTX 5080 Dhahab Edition, the brand continues to push boundaries in the luxury hardware market.
For those seeking the ultimate blend of performance and prestige, the ROG Astral series is a must-watch in 2025.