Slow transfer rate with Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 (Model Number: PHN18-71)

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Kudju
Kudju Member Posts: 3 New User
in Predator Laptops

Greating everyone.

I am having a problem with a newly bought Samsung NVME SSD 990 pro 4TB on my new Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 (Model Number: PHN18-71)

I've upgraded the old Hynix 1TB with new Samsung one and got terrible transfer speeds when copy files. Its around from 50 to 500 MB/s going up and down.

I've read over Acer forum for a solution but most of them are vague or not working for me.

I've tryed installing Windows 11 in so many different RST driver configurations but in vain.

Tryed VMD on/off.

Tryed Raid0 as well.

The common between them is that i use the VMD driver to display the installed SSD's partitions. When trying DiskMark i see the 7k+ read and write speeds but when coppying real life files it is slow. Samsung magic software cannot detect the SSD when VMD is enabled but when i swotched it of it say the drive is Authentic and the firmware running is the latest.

Temps are between 45 at idle and 70-ish at load.

I've tryed the Full power mode from Samsung software - no change in transfer speeds.

I've tryed OverProvisioning from Samsung software - no change in transfer speeds.

I've tryed the windows power plan to be at max and PCIe to never be at power saving mode.

When VMD was on i've installed Intel RSD drivers in windows - No change in transfer speed.

When VMD was off i could not install the RSD driver - no supported device.

I've read also that NVME ssd has to be at AHCI mode if i dont want a RAID setup, but there is not such option in BIOS (BIOS version is latest 1.7)

I saw some people are talking about a hidden Advanced Advanced options menu where you can manualy set those parameters when holding Fn + Tab keys whyle booting the laptop but for it didnt work or maybe im not doing it right.

I'm out of options and i dont know what to do. Please if someone knows a fix, share it.

Any ideas are appreciated.

Answers

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 18,348 Trailblazer
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/727594/slow-transfer-rate-with-acer-predator-helios-neo-18-model-number-phn18-71

    Hey Kudju, thanks for the detailed breakdown — really helpful for narrowing things down.

    Based on everything you've tried, thermal throttling seems like the most likely culprit. The Samsung 990 Pro 4TB is known to run hot under sustained loads, and your reported temps (45°C idle, 70°C+ under load) are already in the throttling zone. That would explain why CrystalDiskMark shows full speeds, but real-world transfers drop to 50–500 MB/s.

    Here’s what I’d suggest:

    🔧 Next Steps to Confirm Throttling

    • Try a 100GB+ file copy while logging temps with HWiNFO64. If temps spike and speeds drop mid-transfer, that’s your smoking gun.
    • If you haven’t already, install a thermal pad or copper shim on the SSD. Even modest cooling can help stabilize performance.
    • Consider using a cooling pad or elevating the laptop to improve airflow.

    You’ve already ruled out VMD, RST, firmware, and power plan issues — so heat is the last major variable. Let us know what the temp logs show during a big transfer!

  • Axxo
    Axxo Member, Ally Posts: 2,186

    Slow transfer rates on an Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 can stem from various factors, including network issues, power settings, or even hardware limitations. Diagnosing the problem involves checking your internet connection, optimizing power settings for performance, and potentially updating drivers or BIOS. If the issue persists, it could indicate a hardware problem requiring further investigation or potential replacement.

    Troubleshooting Steps:
    1. Network Issues:
    Check Wi-Fi connection: Ensure your laptop is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network and that the signal strength is strong. Consider moving closer to the router or using a Wi-Fi extender if needed.
    Router and Modem: Verify that your router and modem are working correctly and that other devices are experiencing similar transfer speeds. Rebooting them can sometimes resolve temporary issues.

    2. Power Settings:
    Power Options: As mentioned above, ensure your wireless adapter is set to "Maximum Performance" in the power settings.
    PredatorSense: If your laptop has a dedicated performance mode switch (like Turbo, Performance, or Silent), ensure it's set to a mode that prioritizes performance.

    3. Hardware Limitations:
    SSD Speeds: If you're transferring files to or from an SSD, check its read and write speeds using a benchmark tool like CrystalDiskMark. If the speeds are significantly lower than expected, it could indicate a faulty SSD.4. Other Factors:
    Malware: Run a scan with your antivirus software to check for malware, which can affect performance.
    Background Processes: Close unnecessary background processes that might be consuming resources.-----------------------------------------
    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful.

  • Kudju
    Kudju Member Posts: 3 New User

    Thank you for the responce to both of you.

    Here is more info on the situation.

    This is the current driver setup in device manager

    Screenshot 2025-08-01 070539.png

    I think those storage controllers are not right. Even so, the Disk mark shows the following result of self testing:

    SSD # 1: Dont mind the skin, its the one that came in stock and i didnt change it

    CrystalDiskMark_C_C_01.08.2025.png

    SSD # 2:

    CrystalDiskMark_E_01.08.2025.png

    I've check the temperature and it seems at full load it reaches 74-75 Celsius. It may be something with the termal pad. I dont have an external metal enclosure but i ordered some hefty coper ones to help me with that. Even so, the drive should troutle at 80C according to samsung specs, which i did not reach.

    I've made a video of the sensors whille coppying 100GB of video, i hope it shows here:

    https://jumpshare.com/s/Vv0MXiURI6zlALSMh9hw

    The copy-paste was made from SSD#2 to SSD#1

    Somehow i think the problem is with the controller drivers

    This is a result from samsung magic software:

    SSD # 1

    Magic1.png

    SSD # 2

    Macig2.png
  • Kudju
    Kudju Member Posts: 3 New User

    Ok so what i did was to get the lastest RST drivers from Intel website for the 14-th gen processor. ITs a common installer for 11-15-th gen processors i think or something in that kind.

    I've extracted from the installer the NVM drivers, needed to load the drives in when installing windows.

    3 folders were made when extracting is being done. I think 2 are for Intel optane (when you dont go for NVM (in bios NVM is being dissabled) and a third folder named NVM, as it should go for when NVM is being enabled. I got this when i tryed installing Intel RST with NVM in bios being put to off and the installer tells me there is no such device located in the sistem, as it should say, brobabbly.

    So what settings i should use: NVM on or NVM off from Bios ?

    Is it a bad idea to go for the latest Intel RST, despite that thay are for my generation of CPU? (14-th)

    Should i stick to those from Acer's drivers for the PHN18-71 model, even thay are not up to date?

    When loading Disk Drives for installing windows, Which one should i choose?

    ________________________________________

    VMD Managed controler 09AB

    or

    VMD Controler 467F

    VMD Controler 7DO…

    VMD Controler 77F…

    VMD Controler 7B0…

    ________________________________________

    I see all of them points to one .ini fail inside the NVM driver's folder.

    Or maybe i should go for the other folders from the xtracted RST drivers for Optane memori RST instead?

    Somehow i think the issue lies in this generic Microsoft controler that is being used by the sistem instead of the Intel's one.

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