Chinese memory manufacturer Asgard has introduced two new high-capacity DDR5 kits in the domestic market, arriving at a time when DRAM prices continue to rise across the industry. The company unveiled a 192 GB Thor kit and a 256 GB Valkyrie kit, both designed for users who require larger memory pools for demanding workloads. These kits are already listed for purchase on JD, one of China’s major online retailers.
The 192 GB Thor kit features a 4×48 GB configuration and is priced at 8,599 Yuan, which converts to around US$1,216 based on current exchange rates. Although the price may seem high for mainstream users, it reflects the ongoing upward trend in global memory costs. Reports indicate that memory manufacturers are facing supply constraints due to increased demand from data centers, servers, and AI-related applications, which has pushed DRAM prices significantly higher compared to late 2023 and early 2024.
The 256 GB Valkyrie kit includes a 4×64 GB layout and originally launched at 14,599 Yuan (about US$2,064). However, the listing has already been updated to 16,999 Yuan, placing it close to US$2,404. This adjustment puts the kit above the price of several flagship GPUs, including NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition. Such rapid price changes highlight how volatile the current memory market has become as manufacturers respond to shifting supply and demand conditions.
Both kits rely on SK Hynix M-die, a popular choice for DDR5 modules due to its efficiency and stability at higher frequencies. Asgard has rated both models at 6000 MT/s. The Thor kit uses CL28-36-36-72 timings, while the Valkyrie kit features CL32-45-45-90 timings. These specifications position the kits for users involved in tasks such as virtual machine hosting, professional content creation, and other workloads where large memory capacities offer a noticeable advantage.
Just a few months ago, memory kits in the 192 GB and 256 GB range could be found for under US$1,000, making the current prices a significant jump. Industry analysts attribute this change to the growing demand for DRAM from AI training clusters, cloud computing, and enterprise servers. With major suppliers like Micron shifting more capacity toward high-margin enterprise products, consumer-focused offerings are seeing reduced supply, contributing to price fluctuations.
Market forecasts suggest that the DRAM supply imbalance may continue well into 2027, with the possibility of sharper increases around mid-2026. As a result, consumers building new systems or upgrading existing ones may face higher costs for high-capacity memory throughout the coming years.
Asgard’s newest kits reflect the broader situation in the memory market, where prices can change rapidly depending on global demand and availability. With the launch of these 192 GB and 256 GB DDR5 kits, users now have more options for high-capacity configurations, but they enter the market during one of its most expensive periods in recent years.
Source: IT Home
