Acer Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5080 (2026) vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026)
What Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5080 (2026) does better (10) and where Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026) wins (9) — every spec side by side.
vs
6.9Graphics8.8
9.0Overall performance9.5
9.5Display7.7
9.6Memory & storage8.6
6.6Battery & portability3.5
6.9Features & cooling6.1
Dimensions
Size comparison
Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5080 (2026)Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026)
| Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5080 (2026) | Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026) | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 307.9 mm | 308 mm | −0.1 mm |
| Width | 401 mm | 404 mm | −3 mm |
| Thickness | 29.6 mm | 32 mm | −2.4 mm |
| Weight | 3.5 kg | 3.6 kg | −0.1 kg |
Drawn to the same scale from the official dimensions (front and side).
Why is Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5080 (2026) better than Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026)?
- Refresh rate250 Hz vs 120 Hz2.1×
- RAM (up to)192 GB vs 128 GB+50%
- Weight3.5 kg vs 3.6 kg+3%
- G-Sync / FreeSyncYes · Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026): No
- Advanced OptimusYes · Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026): No
- Liquid metal (CPU)Yes · Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026): No
- Thickness29.6 mm vs 32 mm+8%
- SSD (up to)8,192 GB vs 8,000 GB+2%
- Max. supported RAM192 GB vs 128 GB+50%
- M.2 SSD slots3 vs 2+50%
Why is Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026) better than Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5080 (2026)?
- Resolution classQHD (1440p/1600p) vs 4K (2160p/2400p)
- GPU compute (FP32)42 TFLOPS vs 51.4 TFLOPS+22%
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light25,580 vs 29,489+15%
- Video memory16 GB vs 24 GB+50%
- RAM (base)16 GB vs 64 GB4×
- GPU shader cores7,680 vs 10,496+37%
- Keyboard backlightSingle-colour RGB vs Per-key RGB
- SSD (base)1,024 GB vs 2,000 GB+95%
- Pixel density168 ppi vs 252 ppi+50%
Specifications
Side by side
| Graphics | ||
| Graphics card | GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop | GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop |
| GPU maker | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| GPU power (TGP) | 175 W | 175 W |
| Video memory | 16 GB | 24 GB |
| Video memory type | GDDR7 | GDDR7 |
| GPU shader cores | 7,680 | 10,496 |
| GPU compute (FP32) | 42 TFLOPS | 51.4 TFLOPS |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Light | 25,580 | 29,489 |
| Processor | ||
| Processor | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
| CPU maker | Intel | Intel |
| CPU cores | 24 | 24 |
| CPU threads | 24 | 24 |
| Max CPU clock | 5.5 GHz | 5.5 GHz |
| Processor options | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 23,284 | 23,055 |
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 3,411 | 3,459 |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,608 | 2,594 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 18″ | 18″ |
| Resolution | 2560 × 1600 | 3840 × 2400 |
| Resolution class | QHD (1440p/1600p) | 4K (2160p/2400p) |
| Refresh rate | 250 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Panel type | Mini-LED | Mini-LED |
| Brightness | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| sRGB coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Response time | 3 ms | — |
| DCI-P3 coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Pixel density | 168 ppi | 252 ppi |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| G-Sync / FreeSync | Yes | No |
| Advanced Optimus | Yes | No |
| MUX switch | Yes | Yes |
| HDR | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Memory & storage | ||
| RAM (up to) | 192 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM (base) | 16 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM type | DDR5 | DDR5 |
| RAM speed | 6,400 MHz | 6,400 MHz |
| Max. supported RAM | 192 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM slots | 4 | 2 |
| Upgradable RAM | Yes | Yes |
| SSD (up to) | 8,192 GB | 8,000 GB |
| SSD (base) | 1,024 GB | 2,000 GB |
| M.2 SSD slots | 3 | 2 |
| SSD interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| Battery & power | ||
| Battery capacity | 100 Wh | 99 Wh |
| Power adapter | 400 W | 400 W |
| USB-C charging (Power Delivery) | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C charging power | 140 W | 140 W |
| Design & cooling | ||
| Weight | 3.5 kg | 3.6 kg |
| Thickness | 29.6 mm | 32 mm |
| Width | 401 mm | 404 mm |
| Depth | 307.9 mm | 308 mm |
| Body material | Aluminium, Plastic | Aluminium, Plastic |
| Colours | Blue | Black |
| Cooling fans | 2 | 2 |
| Vapor chamber cooling | No | No |
| Liquid metal (CPU) | Yes | No |
| Fan noise (max. load) | 50.3 dB | — |
| Ports & wireless | ||
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 5 | Thunderbolt 5 |
| Thunderbolt or USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | 3 | 3 |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.1 | HDMI 2.1 |
| HDMI 2.1 | Yes | Yes |
| (Mini) DisplayPort | No | No |
| Ethernet | — | 5 Gbit/s |
| Ethernet port | Yes | Yes |
| SD card reader | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5 mm audio jack | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Keyboard & camera | ||
| Keyboard backlight | Single-colour RGB | Per-key RGB |
| Per-key RGB | — | Yes |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Numeric keypad | Yes | Yes |
| Webcam | 1,080p | 1,080p |
| IR camera (face login) | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint reader | No | Yes |
| Audio | ||
| Speakers | 6.0 | 6 speakers |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
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