OCZ ModXstream Pro 500w
Up Close
Published: 27th January 2009 | Source: OCZ | Price: £49.42 |
As with a lot of things, it's what's inside that counts. This is where the PSU performs its magic, transforming the unfriendly AC into computer friendly DC current: breaking down the 240VAC into the various low voltage rails. After removing four screws from the top of our unit, we were in...
The fan is manufactured by Globe Fan, and is rated at 0.33A @ 12v. Unfortunately we couldn't find any specs for the fan on Globe Fans website at the time of writing. Interestingly, OCZ have covered off part of the fan with a bit of perspex. This may have been done so that air can escape at the back of the unit, rather than constantly being pushed down.
The internals of the ModXstream Pro are split into three sections, with MOSFET heatsinks dividing each section up. In the top section, we have a single large capacitor. It is preferred to have multiple smaller capacitors as this reduces power ripple, but it shouldn't be too big a problem. The capacitor appears to be made by EPCOS, a German manufacturer and features the following markings: 330uF / 400v / 85c. In the middle section we have two transformers, one for the 12v and the other most likely for 3.3v/5v.
Cabling
Being a modular cables not all the cables are attached to the PSU. Instead only a few of them are left attached to the PSU and the rest are detachable. This way only the cables you need are attached, minimising excess cable mess within your case.
The cables already attached to the PSU are as follows: 4-Pin P4 Connector, 8-Pin EPS connector, 20+4-Pin ATX power cable. These are pretty much the bare minimum for any PC. It would have been nice to have the 4-Pin and 8-Pin connectors being modular, as one of these is guaranteed not to be in use.
There is a nice selection of cables included in the box. In the top left we have the PCI-e 6-pin and 8-pin leads. In the middle we have the UK mains power lead. Then, around the edges we have the molex and SATA power leads. In total you can connect 6 SATA devices, 4 Molex devices and 2 Floppy devices. The SATA's come in a group of three, which is handy as most case caddies take 3 drives - Well thought out OCZ.
Here we have the dual PCI-e Connectors and molex leads. The 8-pin PCI-e can be converted to a 6-pin lead by removing the two extra pins. The Molex connectors have two standard molex connectors, then a floppy connector on the end. It would have been far more useful to have three molex connectors, with a floppy adaptor in the box for those that still need them.
Most Recent Comments
first, thanks for the review Jim, and now, coments: it looks pretty good for a 500w psu, the temps of it aren't bad, it does it job well, its silent, and isnt expensive at all, maybe this is another one for me to chose? im still having trouble at choosing 500w modular psu's. i think i still have the corsair as my top.
Anyways, great review man
Soap.
Anyways, great review man

Soap.
Nice review
It's certainly interesting to see another of the OCZ lower budget series, the StealthXstream were already very interesting.
I don't think it can compete with the cooler master m520 when it's about price though. The ModXstream retails for €65.- in the Netherlands while me m520 is about €7-8 cheaper. May not sound like a lot but most of the time these psu's are used in low budget builds where every penny counts.
I think it would be a good idea to make three PSU roundups. For low (400w-), mid (400-700w) and high (700w+) units. That way it's easy to compare the reviewed supplies
To be continued, have to eat now
It's certainly interesting to see another of the OCZ lower budget series, the StealthXstream were already very interesting.I don't think it can compete with the cooler master m520 when it's about price though. The ModXstream retails for €65.- in the Netherlands while me m520 is about €7-8 cheaper. May not sound like a lot but most of the time these psu's are used in low budget builds where every penny counts.
I think it would be a good idea to make three PSU roundups. For low (400w-), mid (400-700w) and high (700w+) units. That way it's easy to compare the reviewed supplies

To be continued, have to eat now

This looks really decent, been toying with the idea of going modular when I upgrade my backup rig at easter, and the price had put me off but £50 is a small price to pay for something that performs well and could replace my Corsair in the event of an emergency. Good review, with a nice decisive conclusion 

Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='soapsupah'
first, thanks for the review Jim, and now, coments: it looks pretty good for a 500w psu, the temps of it aren't bad, it does it job well, its silent, and isnt expensive at all, maybe this is another one for me to chose? im still having trouble at choosing 500w modular psu's. i think i still have the corsair as my top.
Anyways, great review man ![]() Soap. |
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='monkey7'
I think it would be a good idea to make three PSU roundups. For low (400w-), mid (400-700w) and high (700w+) units. That way it's easy to compare the reviewed supplies
![]() To be continued, have to eat now ![]() |
Once again, nice review and good so see some midrange products

Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='monkey7'
These roundups do not neccessarily have to be a seperately written article but could also be a summary of all reviews maybe in the form of a table.
Once again, nice review and good so see some midrange products ![]() |

Nice nice nice
Gotta love OC3D 
Gotta love OC3D 
I'm buying it
.
It can run a 9600GT right?!?
I'm stupid
.It can run a 9600GT right?!?
I'm stupid

Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='zak4994'
I'm buying it
.It can run a 9600GT right?!? I'm stupid ![]() |
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='Luigi'
Lol, it could run a gtx295 if you wanted it to, so yes!
|
SORRY for not using common sense.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='zak4994'
lol I only asked because I wasn't bothered to find out.
SORRY for not using common sense. |

Anyone know where it is available?
Scan doesn't have it...
Scan doesn't have it...
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='zak4994'
Anyone know where it is available?
Scan doesn't have it... |
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='Luigi'
Lol, it could run a gtx295 if you wanted it to, so yes!
|
This is only the second PS (out of hundreds) that has ever failed like this on me.
The heatsink is very small and the paint/coating is poor (easily scratched)
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='markkleb'
LOL, good luck with that.... I tried it with a 4870 (my comp only needed 220 watts at idle) and it POP'd within 2 min.
This is only the second PS (out of hundreds) that has ever failed like this on me. The heatsink is very small and the paint/coating is poor (easily scratched) |
Good to see you back in the forum though mark
I'd most certainly recommend the modXstream lineup. Used one of these modular PSU's for a friend's Small Form Factor build, it was a pleasure to use and very quiet too.
Excellent review
Excellent review

Just got 1 of these yesterday and i must say very pleased with it,very quiet cool and its modular and for the price you cant really go wrong,lets be honest you can pay £30 for a no name last a week job !!!!

I'm actually using this PSU on my Pentium E5200 and HD5850 rig, even OCing these at times. It's a good-enough PSU built by Sirtec. I think the 600W ModXStream-Pro is better investment as it has 25A on its 12V rail








http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/artic...125417708s.jpg
OCZ ModXstream Pro 500w