ASUS has introduced a special edition of its high-end ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, named the ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC Dhahab Edition. This exclusive variant appears to be targeted at the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market, featuring a distinct gold-themed design with cultural embellishments. “Dhahab” translates to “gold” in Arabic, which is reflected in the GPU‘s aesthetics, including the cooler shroud, backplate, retention bracket, and even the heatsink. While it is unclear whether the gold appearance is achieved through electroplating or a specialized finish, the Dhahab Edition stands out as a luxury offering.
Aesthetic Enhancements and Cultural Elements
The ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC Dhahab Edition features a striking gold-colored finish across multiple components, providing a regal appearance. Contrasting this gold theme is a turquoise-like stone inlay that exhibits blue-green light refraction, resembling actual turquoise gemstones. This combination of gold and turquoise creates a visual effect reminiscent of traditional Middle Eastern art and jewelry.
Beyond its color scheme, the Dhahab Edition incorporates intricate Arabic calligraphy and regional motifs, symbolizing “strength, courage, and unity.” These engravings extend to the gold-finished backplate, which features designs inspired by deserts and modern skyscrapers, reflecting the cultural and architectural heritage of the MENA region.
Pricing and Availability Speculations
The standard ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC debuted at an official price of $2,800, representing a significant 40% premium over NVIDIA’s baseline MSRP of $2,000. However, due to retailer markups, the card is often found closer to $3,000 in the market. Given that the Dhahab Edition builds upon this foundation with its luxury aesthetics and limited-edition appeal, the pricing for this model is expected to be substantially higher. ASUS has not yet disclosed an official price, but the card is likely to cater to collectors and high-end PC enthusiasts willing to invest in a premium, culturally inspired GPU.
Specifications and Performance
ASUS has not indicated any changes to the core specifications of the ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC Dhahab Edition compared to the standard variant. The original ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC features:
- NVIDIA Ada Lovelace Next-Gen Architecture
- Enhanced CUDA core count for improved computational performance
- Massive power delivery and cooling design for sustained high-performance
- Factory overclocked settings beyond the Founders Edition model
Given the collector’s edition status of the Dhahab model, the focus remains on its unique design rather than functional improvements. However, ASUS could introduce exclusive packaging and accessories to enhance its premium appeal.
Conclusion
The ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC Dhahab Edition emerges as a high-end collector’s GPU, offering a visually striking and culturally significant design. While the standard ROG Astral RTX 5090 OC already commands a steep price, this gold-themed edition will likely exceed that, positioning itself as a luxury statement piece in the gaming and enthusiast market. As ASUS prepares for its official launch, pricing and availability details remain eagerly awaited.
Sources: VideoCardz, VGA4A (Twitter)
