The claim that gamers rejected the ASUS ROG Astral RTX 5090 at $3,719 comes from a March 28, 2025 report about a small number of store observations—not a nationwide sales survey. HotHardware described the liquid-cooled Astral LC model remaining on shelves longer than its author expected at Micro Center locations in Dallas and New Jersey; the units eventually sold.
What the $3,719 headline referred to
HotHardware’s March 28, 2025 story focused on the ASUS ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090, the liquid-cooled variant. It reported a retail price of $3,719. The same article said ASUS’s product page listed that LC model at $3,409.99 while it was sold out. Those are historical prices reported in 2025, not current offers or evidence of what buyers ultimately paid. HotHardware’s report provides the account.
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ASUS ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 OC Edition Quad Fan Graphics Card, 32GB GDDR7, 3352 AI Tops,... | $7,899.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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The article’s description of inventory was localized: its author said Astral LC cards stayed on shelves longer than he considered typical at Micro Center stores in Dallas and New Jersey. It also says New Jersey’s LC units sold after air-cooled models. That is an anecdotal observation, not a measured sell-through comparison.
What the report says may have slowed sales
Price
HotHardware identified the reported price as a possible obstacle for gamers and a risk for resellers. The story does not count buyers who declined the card or establish how demand compared across retailers.
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Space for the liquid cooler
The Astral LC’s all-in-one liquid cooler uses a 360 mm radiator. HotHardware noted that this could be too large for some PC cases, narrowing compatibility for builders who otherwise might consider the card. Check the specific LC model’s installation requirements against your case before buying; details for the air-cooled model do not establish LC clearance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What ASUS lists for the air-cooled Astral OC
ASUS’s product page for the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 OC Edition describes a 32GB GDDR7 card based on NVIDIA Blackwell with DLSS 4. It lists an OC-mode clock of 2610 MHz, a default-mode clock of 2580 MHz, a quad-fan design, and a 3.8-slot form factor. These specifications are for the OC air-cooled product page, not a specification sheet for the Astral LC. See ASUS’s ROG Astral product page.
The distinction matters when comparing models: an air-cooled card’s slot thickness and fan arrangement do not tell you whether a liquid-cooled version’s radiator will fit your case. Confirm the exact model or SKU, cooling configuration, and clearance requirements for the card being sold.
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ASUS US’s indexed product listings showed $4,729.99 for the ROG Astral RTX 5090 32GB GDDR7 and $4,829.99 for the OC Edition. These are page-listed amounts observed on ASUS US’s indexed product listings, not confirmed transaction prices or assurances of stock. They apply to the listed variants and US market, and should not be confused with HotHardware’s historical $3,719 report about the LC inventory story. Check ASUS US’s listings for current product-page information.
Availability and transaction prices can change, and the cited pages do not establish live retailer stock. Verify the exact variant and current price with the seller before making a buying decision.
What the inventory story does—and does not—show
The report supports a narrow conclusion: the author observed specific Astral LC units lingering at two Micro Center locations, and attributed slower sales in part to price and radiator fit. It does not provide inventory counts, a sell-through rate, or a survey showing that gamers broadly rejected the RTX 5090 or the Astral line. Nor does a 2025 shelf observation establish current inventory conditions.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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