ASUS prepares golden GeForce RTX 5080 ROG Astral Dhahab for the Middle East

17:45 6 May, 2025

ASUS is expanding its exclusive graphics card lineup for the Middle East with the GeForce RTX 5080 ROG Astral Dhahab (“Gold” in Arabic). Inspired by Arab culture, this new model promises to blend cutting-edge technology with luxurious design. Here’s what we know about the graphics card, how it differs from the standard model, and its potential cost.

Luxury in the Details: What Is the Dhahab Edition?

ASUS already captivated the region with the flagship GeForce RTX 5090 ROG Astral Dhahab OC Edition, unveiled in February 2025 at an event in Riyadh. The new RTX 5080 Dhahab follows the same approach: combining powerful hardware with a unique aesthetic inspired by the Middle East. According to VideoCardz, the graphics card will feature:

Design: Gold-toned shroud, heatsink, and bracket (likely coated, not solid gold). Arabic calligraphy on the body symbolizes strength, courage, and unity—core values of the region.
Motifs: Like the RTX 5090 Dhahab, the backplate is expected to depict skyscrapers and desert landscapes, reflecting the transition “from sands to skies.”
Quad-Fan Cooling: ASUS’s signature ROG Astral design with a vapor chamber and phase-change thermal pads for efficient cooling.
Overclocking: GPU frequency in OC mode reaches up to 2610 MHz (compared to 2407 MHz for the Founders Edition), matching the standard RTX 5080 OC.

Technically, the card is similar to the ROG Astral RTX 5080 OC: it uses the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, 16 GB of GDDR7 memory, supports DLSS 4, and has a power draw of up to 400 W (recommended PSU: 850 W). However, its focus on luxurious design makes it a collector’s item.

Who Is This Graphics Card For?

The GeForce RTX 5080 ROG Astral Dhahab targets the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. ASUS emphasizes cultural ties, collaborating with NVIDIA and Qiddiya—Saudi Arabia’s entertainment city project. The card is designed for:

Gamers and Enthusiasts: The RTX 5080 delivers high performance in 4K (e.g., 60–80 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing) and supports AI rendering.
Collectors: The limited run and gold finish make it a status symbol, like a “golden brick” for PCs.
Bloggers and Modders: Aura ARGB lighting and premium materials are perfect for custom builds.

Users on X are already discussing it: “Golden RTX 5080? That’s for sheikhs, not us,” writes @ferraru. Others joke: “Grok, how many kidneys do I need to sell for this card?”

Price and Availability: The Cost of Luxury

No official details on the RTX 5080 Dhahab’s price or release date have been announced. However, the RTX 5090 Dhahab provides a benchmark:

RTX 5090 Dhahab OC: Priced at around 35,000 AED (≈780,000 RUB) in the UAE, while the base RTX 5090 OC costs about 253,900 RUB ($3,100).
RTX 5080 OC: Market data suggests the standard version starts at $1,500–$2,000 (≈122,000–163,000 RUB).

Given the premium design, the RTX 5080 Dhahab could cost 20–40% more than the base model—around $2,000–$2,800 (163,000–229,000 RUB). VideoCardz suggests the “Core” label for this model, with an OC version (higher clocks) also possible. Purchases are limited to the MENA region, but cards may appear on the secondary market, as seen with the RTX 5090 Dhahab signed by Jensen Huang, which was auctioned for charity.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Unique design with Arabic calligraphy and gold finish.
High performance for 4K gaming and AI tasks (DLSS 4, NVIDIA Studio).
Efficient cooling (quad fans, vapor chamber).
Collectible value due to limited run.

Cons:

High price, out of reach for most.
Limited availability (MENA only).
Potential fan noise under load, as noted with the RTX 5090 Astral.
Design may be too flashy for minimalist builds.

Conclusion