Gigabyte Aorus Master 18 RTX 5090 (2025) vs MSI Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026)
What Aorus Master 18 RTX 5090 (2025) does better (13) and where Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026) wins (7) — every spec side by side.
vs
9.8Graphics8.8
9.3Overall performance9.5
8.8Display7.7
9.2Memory & storage8.6
6.3Battery & portability3.5
9.5Features & cooling6.1
Dimensions
Size comparison
Aorus Master 18 RTX 5090 (2025)Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026)
| Aorus Master 18 RTX 5090 (2025) | Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026) | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 287 mm | 308 mm | −21 mm |
| Width | 401 mm | 404 mm | −3 mm |
| Thickness | 30 mm | 32 mm | −2 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 Aorus Master 18 RTX 5090 (2025) better than Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026)?
- Refresh rate240 Hz vs 120 Hz2×
- RAM (up to)192 GB vs 128 GB+50%
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light32,908 vs 29,489+12%
- 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
- SSD (base)4,000 GB vs 2,000 GB2×
- Cooling fans4 vs 22×
- Vapor chamber coolingYes · Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026): No
- Dolby AtmosYes · Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026): No
- Brightness1,200 nits vs 1,000 nits+20%
- Thickness30 mm vs 32 mm+7%
Why is Raider 18 Max HX A2W RTX 5090 (2026) better than Aorus Master 18 RTX 5090 (2025)?
- Resolution classQHD (1440p/1600p) vs 4K (2160p/2400p)
- Geekbench 6 multi-core22,441 vs 23,055+3%
- Cinebench 2024 multi-core2,132 vs 2,594+22%
- Keyboard backlightSingle-colour RGB vs Per-key RGB
- Pixel density168 ppi vs 252 ppi+50%
- RAM speed4,800 MHz vs 6,400 MHz+33%
- Geekbench 6 single-core3,342 vs 3,459+4%
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 | 32,908 | 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 | 22,441 | 23,055 |
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 3,342 | 3,459 |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,132 | 2,594 |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 18″ | 18″ |
| Resolution | 2560 × 1600 | 3840 × 2400 |
| Resolution class | QHD (1440p/1600p) | 4K (2160p/2400p) |
| Refresh rate | 240 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Panel type | Mini-LED | Mini-LED |
| Brightness | 1,200 nits | 1,000 nits |
| sRGB coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Response time | 5 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) | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM type | DDR5 | DDR5 |
| RAM speed | 4,800 MHz | 6,400 MHz |
| Max. supported RAM | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM slots | 2 | 2 |
| Upgradable RAM | Yes | Yes |
| SSD (up to) | 8,000 GB | 8,000 GB |
| SSD (base) | 4,000 GB | 2,000 GB |
| M.2 SSD slots | 3 | 2 |
| SSD interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| Battery & power | ||
| Battery capacity | 99 Wh | 99 Wh |
| Power adapter | 400 W | 400 W |
| USB-C charging (Power Delivery) | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C charging power | — | 140 W |
| Design & cooling | ||
| Weight | 3.5 kg | 3.6 kg |
| Thickness | 30 mm | 32 mm |
| Width | 401 mm | 404 mm |
| Depth | 287 mm | 308 mm |
| Body material | Plastic | Aluminium, Plastic |
| Colours | Grey | Black |
| Cooling fans | 4 | 2 |
| Vapor chamber cooling | Yes | No |
| Liquid metal (CPU) | No | No |
| Fan noise (max. load) | 53 dB | — |
| Ports & wireless | ||
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 | 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 | Yes | No |
| Ethernet | 5 Gbit/s | 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 |
| Key travel | 1.7 mm | — |
| Webcam | 1,080p | 1,080p |
| IR camera (face login) | Yes | Yes |
| Fingerprint reader | No | Yes |
| Audio | ||
| Speakers | 2 speakers | 6 speakers |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
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