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日本Acer Predator Helios 18 (PH18-71) review – the RTX 4080 is absolutely mad
Verdict
We have to start our conclusion with a disclaimer. You may have noticed that some of our tests are missing. This is because the Helios 18 in our hands is an engineering sample. While all of its performance is alright, the battery tests and the temperature tests issued inconclusive results. We are going to update these sections as soon as we can get ourselves a retail version of this machine.
What we know for sure, is that its CPU and GPU combination offers a significant generational improvement. So big, in fact, that it becomes really easy to recommend devices equipped with 13th Gen Intel processors, and RTX 4000-series graphics cards from Intel.
Acer Predator Helios 18 (PH18-71)’s large 18-inch IPS display has a WQXGA resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio, comfortable viewing angles, and a good contrast ratio. it covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut and 99% of the DCI-P3 color space. Thanks to our Gaming and Web design profile, the color accuracy in both instances is within the standards for professional work.
With that said, we have left the best for last – it has a 240Hz refresh rate and super fast pixel response times. In addition to this display, there is a 165Hz WUXGA, a 165Hz WQXGA, and the top-of-the-line 250Hz WQXGA with a Mini LED backlight.
Upgrading the laptop is extremely easy. Well, provided you got yourself a Torx-head screwdriver, and the patience to go through 14 screws. Then, it is just a matter of seconds to insert more RAM or storage. Plus, the DDR5 memory here works at 5600MHz, which is pretty fast.
Now let’s talk numbers – the Core i9-13900HX inside the Predator Helios 18 is about 32% faster than the previous title-holder from last year – the Core i9-12900H. In terms of graphics, the difference becomes even more aggressive. Here, the RTX 4080 (175W) is 45% faster than the RTX 3080 Ti with the same TGP in 3DMark Time Spy. Absolutely brutal.
So, if you are willing to bid on the Predator Helios 18 (PH18-71), which is a great gaming machine by the way, even only on the performance figures – you have to do it. Plus, we expect the retail version to be fantastic on the cooling, due to the use of liquid metal, and the crazy volume of air its two fans can move.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/acer-predator-helios-18-ph18-71/
Pros
- 2x DDR5 SODIMM + 2x M.2 PCIe x4 Gen 4 slots
- Lowkey design
- MUX switch
- Wi-Fi 6E, 2.5G Ethernet + 2x Thunderbolt 4
- Covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and has accurate color representation with our Gaming and Web design profile (BOE NE180QDM-NZ2 (BOE0B79))
- Fast panel with quick response times (BOE NE180QDM-NZ2 (BOE0B79))
- PWM-free (BOE NE180QDM-NZ2 (BOE0B79))
Cons
- Gets a bit loud during long gaming sessions
Where’s temperatures/clocks/power in stress test for CPU and GPU?
They said they’ll update it. They can’t at the moment as it’s an engineering sample
I was so suprised that i found a review for Acer Helios 18 but disappointed after that there is no MiniLED version 🙁
well, it’s March when is it coming out? April worldwide?
It’s in the stock in Germany now. 3200 Euro for 4080 and normal IPS display.
Why are you posting benchmarks of the 2023 helios against the 2022 of everyone else. Based on everyone of those benchmarks the acer loses to every other 2023 offering with the same equipment…
Warum die Tests in HD? Das ist Total unrealistisch, zumal das Notebook einen QHD Bildschirm hat 🤷♂️
Does it have 175W TGP? On the acer page and everywhere else I read that it only got 165W!? It would be much more interesting to compare this with other RTX 40XX cards and also other 4080s with the full 175W TGP..
And yes I also agree to others that it does not make any sense to have benchmarks in FHD while the laptop itself come in 1600p…
Would be nice if this could be updated otherwise this test is quite useless..
Hey, laptopgamer 🙂 Check this out:
https://laptopmedia.com/news/acer-claims-its-new-predator-has-a-165w-rtx-4080-its-actually-even-faster/
The tests are in FHD for comparison purposes, we didn’t have the chance to test with more resolutions
how far will the lid go back…. is it maxed in that photo?
How long is the battery life on this laptop?