Acer Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5090 (2025) vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026)
What Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5090 (2025) does better (11) and where Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026) wins (7) — every spec side by side.
vs
9.3Graphics8.8
9.2Overall performance9.5
9.5Display7.7
9.6Memory & storage8.6
8.0Battery & portability3.5
6.9Features & cooling6.1
Dimensions
Size comparison
Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5090 (2025)Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026)
| Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5090 (2025) | 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 | 3.2 kg | 3.6 kg | −0.4 kg |
Drawn to the same scale from the official dimensions (front and side).
Why is Predator Helios 18 AI RTX 5090 (2025) 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%
- Weight3.2 kg vs 3.6 kg+12%
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light31,590 vs 29,489+7%
- 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 5090 (2025)?
- Resolution classQHD (1440p/1600p) vs 4K (2160p/2400p)
- RAM (base)16 GB vs 64 GB4×
- Geekbench 6 multi-core22,453 vs 23,055+3%
- Cinebench 2024 multi-core2,147 vs 2,594+21%
- SSD (base)1,024 GB vs 2,000 GB+95%
- Pixel density168 ppi vs 252 ppi+50%
- Geekbench 6 single-core3,306 vs 3,459+5%
Specifications
Side by side
| Graphics | ||
| Graphics card | GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop | GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop |
| GPU maker | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| GPU power (TGP) | 175 W | 175 W |
| Video memory | 24 GB | 24 GB |
| Video memory type | GDDR7 | GDDR7 |
| GPU shader cores | 10,496 | 10,496 |
| GPU compute (FP32) | 51.4 TFLOPS | 51.4 TFLOPS |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Light | 31,590 | 29,489 |
| Processor | ||
| Processor | Core Ultra 9 275HX | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
| CPU maker | Intel | Intel |
| CPU cores | 24 | 24 |
| CPU threads | 24 | 24 |
| Max CPU clock | 5.4 GHz | 5.5 GHz |
| Processor options | Core Ultra 9 275HX | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 22,453 | 23,055 |
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 3,306 | 3,459 |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,147 | 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 | 99 Wh | 99 Wh |
| Power adapter | 330 W | 400 W |
| USB-C charging (Power Delivery) | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C charging power | 140 W | 140 W |
| Design & cooling | ||
| Weight | 3.2 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 | — | 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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