Acer Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026) vs MSI Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025)
What Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026) does better (18) and where Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025) wins (8) — every spec side by side.
vs
8.8Graphics9.0
9.4Overall performance7.3
8.1Display2.3
6.9Memory & storage8.3
8.8Battery & portability9.6
6.9Features & cooling5.5
Dimensions
Size comparison
Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026)Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025)
| Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026) | Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025) | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 312 mm | 289.7 mm | +22.3 mm |
| Width | 404 mm | 400 mm | +4 mm |
| Thickness | 29 mm | 24 mm | +5 mm |
| Weight | 3.2 kg | 2.9 kg | +0.3 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 Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025)?
- Resolution class4K (2160p/2400p) vs Full HD (1080p/1200p)
- Panel typeMini-LED vs IPS
- Geekbench 6 multi-core23,284 vs 19,366+20%
- RAM (base)96 GB vs 32 GB3×
- Cinebench 2024 multi-core2,608 vs 1,915+36%
- G-Sync / FreeSyncYes · Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025): No
- Advanced OptimusYes · Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025): No
- HDRYes · Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025): No
- Liquid metal (CPU)Yes · Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025): No
- CPU cores24 vs 20+20%
- Max. supported RAM192 GB vs 128 GB+50%
- M.2 SSD slots3 vs 2+50%
Why is Stealth 18 HX AI RTX 5090 (2025) better than Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026)?
- SSD (up to)1,000 GB vs 4,096 GB4.1×
- RAM (up to)96 GB vs 128 GB+33%
- Refresh rate120 Hz vs 144 Hz+20%
- Weight3.2 kg vs 2.89 kg+11%
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light29,527 vs 30,526+3%
- Thickness29 mm vs 24 mm+21%
- Vapor chamber coolingNo · Predator Helios 18 AI PH18-I71 RTX 5090 (2026): Yes
- SSD (base)1,000 GB vs 1,024 GB+2%
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 | 29,527 | 30,526 |
| Processor | ||
| Processor | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Core Ultra 7 255HX |
| CPU maker | Intel | Intel |
| CPU cores | 24 | 20 |
| CPU threads | 24 | 20 |
| Max CPU clock | 5.5 GHz | 5.2 GHz |
| Processor options | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Core Ultra 7 255HX, Core Ultra 7 265HX, Core Ultra 9 275HX, Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 23,284 | 19,366 |
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 3,411 | 3,130 |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,608 | 1,915 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 18″ | 18″ |
| Resolution | 3840 × 2400 | 1920 × 1200 |
| Resolution class | 4K (2160p/2400p) | Full HD (1080p/1200p) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz |
| Panel type | Mini-LED | IPS |
| Brightness | 1,000 nits | — |
| sRGB coverage | 100% | — |
| Response time | 3 ms | — |
| DCI-P3 coverage | 100% | — |
| Pixel density | 168 ppi | 126 ppi |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| G-Sync / FreeSync | Yes | No |
| Advanced Optimus | Yes | No |
| MUX switch | Yes | Yes |
| HDR | Yes | No |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
| Memory & storage | ||
| RAM (up to) | 96 GB | 128 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 | 4,096 GB |
| SSD (base) | 1,000 GB | 1,024 GB |
| M.2 SSD slots | 3 | 2 |
| SSD interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Battery & power | ||
| Battery capacity | 100 Wh | 100 Wh |
| Power adapter | 400 W | 280 W |
| USB-C charging (Power Delivery) | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C charging power | 140 W | 140 W |
| Design & cooling | ||
| Weight | 3.2 kg | 2.89 kg |
| Thickness | 29 mm | 24 mm |
| Width | 404 mm | 400 mm |
| Depth | 312 mm | 289.7 mm |
| Body material | Aluminium, Plastic | Aluminium |
| Colours | Black | Black |
| Cooling fans | 2 | 2 |
| Vapor chamber cooling | No | Yes |
| Liquid metal (CPU) | Yes | No |
| Fan noise (max. load) | 50.3 dB | 63 dB |
| Ports & wireless | ||
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 5 | Thunderbolt 4 |
| Thunderbolt or USB4 | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C ports | 2 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | 3 | 2 |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.1 | HDMI 2.1 |
| HDMI 2.1 | Yes | Yes |
| (Mini) DisplayPort | No | No |
| 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 | — |
| 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 | 2.4 |
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
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