Acer Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026) vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026)
What Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026) does better (13) and where Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026) wins (4) — every spec side by side.
vs
8.8Graphics7.1
9.4Overall performance8.4
8.1Display7.7
6.9Memory & storage3.9
8.8Battery & portability3.5
6.9Features & cooling6.1
Dimensions
Size comparison
Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026)Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026)
| Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026) | Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026) | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 312 mm | 308 mm | +4 mm |
| Width | 404 mm | 404 mm | = |
| Thickness | 29 mm | 32 mm | −3 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 PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026) better than Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026)?
- RAM (up to)96 GB vs 32 GB3×
- GPU compute (FP32)51.4 TFLOPS vs 42 TFLOPS+22%
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light29,527 vs 26,001+14%
- Video memory24 GB vs 16 GB+50%
- Weight3.2 kg vs 3.6 kg+12%
- RAM (base)96 GB vs 32 GB3×
- GPU shader cores10,496 vs 7,680+37%
- G-Sync / FreeSyncYes · Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026): No
- Advanced OptimusYes · Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026): No
- Liquid metal (CPU)Yes · Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026): No
- Thickness29 mm vs 32 mm+10%
- Max. supported RAM192 GB vs 128 GB+50%
Why is Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5080 (2026) better than Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026)?
- SSD (up to)1,000 GB vs 2,000 GB2×
- SSD (base)1,000 GB vs 2,000 GB2×
- Keyboard backlightSingle-colour RGB vs Per-key RGB
- Pixel density168 ppi vs 252 ppi+50%
Specifications
Side by side
| Graphics | ||
| Graphics card | GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop | GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop |
| GPU maker | NVIDIA | NVIDIA |
| GPU power (TGP) | 175 W | 175 W |
| Video memory | 24 GB | 16 GB |
| Video memory type | GDDR7 | GDDR7 |
| GPU shader cores | 10,496 | 7,680 |
| GPU compute (FP32) | 51.4 TFLOPS | 42 TFLOPS |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad Light | 29,527 | 26,001 |
| 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 | 3840 × 2400 | 3840 × 2400 |
| Resolution class | 4K (2160p/2400p) | 4K (2160p/2400p) |
| Refresh rate | 120 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) | 96 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM (base) | 96 GB | 32 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) | 1,000 GB | 2,000 GB |
| SSD (base) | 1,000 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 | 3.2 kg | 3.6 kg |
| Thickness | 29 mm | 32 mm |
| Width | 404 mm | 404 mm |
| Depth | 312 mm | 308 mm |
| Body material | Aluminium, Plastic | Aluminium, Plastic |
| Colours | Black | 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 | 2 speakers | 6 speakers |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
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