Asgard Launches 256 GB DDR5 Memory Kit at Over $2,400 Now More Expensive Than an NVIDIA RTX 5090
The DDR5 market has entered a new era of volatility as memory prices continue to skyrocket under extraordinary global demand pressures. The latest example comes from Chinese memory manufacturer Asgard, which has launched two ultra high capacity DDR5 kits at prices that now rival and even surpass flagship GPUs.
According to a report from IT Home, Asgard has introduced a 192 GB DDR5 Thor kit and a 256 GB DDR5 Valkyrie kit, both targeted at mainstream desktop users requiring massive memory pools for productivity, AI workloads, and heavy multitasking. The shock, however, comes from the pricing.
Both kits are listed on JD for retail purchase. The 192 GB Thor kit (4×48 GB) is priced at 8,599 yuan, roughly $1,216 USD. While already high, this price is now considered almost modest compared to the larger kit.
The 256 GB Valkyrie kit (4×64 GB) launched at 14,599 yuan (~$2,064). Yet within days, Asgard increased the price to 16,999 yuan (~$2,404 USD). This makes the kit over $400 more expensive than NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition, an ultra premium GPU with a theoretical MSRP far above most consumer components.
Both kits use SK Hynix M die ICs and run at 6000 MT/s, with timings of CL28-36-36-72 for Thor and CL32-45-45-90 for Valkyrie.
Only a few months ago, both 192 GB and 256 GB DDR5 kits could commonly be found for under $1,000. However, the global DRAM ecosystem has been hit hard by shortages, supply consolidation, and the unprecedented consumption of memory for AI infrastructure and data center deployments.
Manufacturers now adjust prices aggressively and in real time as inventory tightens. Analysts expect the situation to continue through Q4 2027, with a possible peak shortage occurring by mid 2026.
Adding to the pressure, major DRAM suppliers like Micron have reportedly reduced or exited various segments of the consumer memory market, placing greater production strain on companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, and niche manufacturers such as Asgard.
The pricing surge illustrates how drastically the memory industry has shifted. DDR5, once marketed as the next step in consumer performance, is increasingly becoming a resource dominated by AI, cloud, and enterprise buyers. The result is a market where consumer hardware can outprice flagship GPUs, reshaping expectations for PC builders and workstation users.
If current trends continue, DDR5 mega capacity kits may become luxury components rather than mainstream upgrades.
Would you ever consider spending GPU level money on a DDR5 kit? How high is too high for RAM pricing? Tell us what you think.
