OCZ ModStream 520W

Introduction

OCZ is most well known for their outstanding overclocking memory. They cater to the needs of overclockers by choosing top of the line memory ICs that yield the highest overclocks. During the days of Winbond chips, overclockers started pumping over 3.3v to the memory. The VDIMM is typically drawn from the 3.3v rail of a power supply, which compelled overclockers to modify their power supplies to supply higher voltage. It was not too long ago that OCZ supplied their own answer to this need. The introduction of their PowerStream power supply was a big success. Overclockers were able to adjust the rails easily through the adjustable potentiometers in the back of the PSU. It’s true that there were power supplies with adjustable potentiometers, but that required voiding warranties and going through hard to reach places within a PSU. OCZ’s PowerStream allowed easy access of potentiometers as well as a great warranty. It opened up extra headroom for overclockers.

Ultra Products was the first to introduce the world’s first fully modular power supply. The power supply was great for case modders, because it allowed great cable management. Well, OCZ is here again with a similar approach. OCZ knows that overclockers not only need the best performance possible but a nice tidy system too. The solution is the OCZ ModStream. The ModStream caters less to overclockers but more to the general public and case modders who want a nice looking system.

OCZ ModStream 520W

The ModStream comes in two flavors, a 450W version and a 520W version. The 450W ModStream will be sufficient enough for most systems, overclocked or not. The 520W version is for the more extreme enthusiasts who need the higher amps. The ModStream comes in a very attractive box with all the necessary cables and accessories. The AC adapter is like the one found on the Raidmax RX-520XP power supply. It’s nicely shielded. Even if it doesn’t do much to help with EMI shielding, it still looks good. It’s nice to see some Velcro ties included. Most companies only go so far to include zip ties but OCZ throws in something to show that they’re just that much better.

Also included in the package is the box of cables. The cables feature OCZ’s PowerShield EMI control technology with copper shielded power leads to provide the added benefit of clean power. The clear outer tubes look similar the vinyl tubes in watercooling systems. It’s flexible enough for normal routing and hiding of cables. The ModStream comes with four 4pin Molex connectors, one 3pin floppy connector, two SATA connectors, and one 6pin PCI-E connector. The total number of connectors seems to be quite lacking, as running multiple hard drives and optical drives is getting quite popular. Four 4pin Molex connectors can be used up just like that in a system with two hard drives and two optical drives, provided that your graphic card doesn’t require an additional power source. The single 3pin floppy connector is nice since 99.9% of the time we only get around to using one. The ATX and 4pin 12v connectors are not modular and extend from the power supply. Instead of using a 24pin-to-20pin adapter, OCZ makes use of the smart slide lock that allows the ATX connector to change from a 24pin to a 20pin. The ATX and 12v 4pin cables seem to be a bit on the short side. It certainly fits all mid-towers and full towers and reaches the motherboard without a problem. However, cases like the Enermax MaxFlow CS-718 and SilverStone TJ06 will definitely cause problems, due to the inverted motherboard tray. The way the cables are arranged are as the following:

• Female 4pin to two male 4pin
• Female 4pin to one male 4pin and one 3pin
• Female 4pin to one male 4pin
• 6pin to two SATA
• 6pin to PCI-E

The outlets for the modular cables are located right next to the ATX connector. The darker blue 6pin outlet is dedicated for the PCI-E connector, so be sure you plug in the proper cables before using.

Like the PowerStream, the ModStream comes in a nice reflective titanium finish. The look is very sexy and high class. The ModStream utilizes a single 120mm fan for cooling, with diamond-shaped openings at the end for heat exhaustion. While I personally like the design of a push-pull fan placement, the single 120mm fan provided good cooling throughout the entire process of testing. As mentioned earlier, the ModStream caters more to the case modders and the general public, which is why the included 120mm fan comes with nice blue LEDs when turned on.

Although OCZ provides a 3 years warranty on the ModStream, the warranty is still voided once you open up the unit. Well, I went ahead and opened it anyway; it’s part of my job description and I take pleasure in voiding warranties. I opened up the ModStream expecting to find the same high quality parts and heatsinks like the PowerStream. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed. There were wasted spaces along the sides of the unit. The heatsinks were larger than what most companies use, but it wasn’t as big as the ones found in the PowerStream. I looked around in hope of finding adjustable potentiometers, but failed. The size of the heatsinks doesn’t bother me all that much, considering the 120mm fan placed right above it. Yet, the unused space inside the power supply is a turnoff.

Specifications

The ModStream is not designed for your highest end overclocking system, so don’t expect too many amps per rail. The 3.3v rail comes with 28A while the 5v comes with 52A. I’m not too sure if I understand all the reasoning behind the distribution, but I would rather see the two rails more balanced. The 12v rail is the common one that we care most about and it comes supplied with 28A. 28A is not extremely high, but is high enough for the higher end systems. Note that the ModStream does not come with dual 12v rails. It is true that having dual 12v rails provide more stability, but having a single rail isn’t all that bad if the power supply is able to maintain the stability. With the 28A provided, stability in a typical system should be fine. The ModStream comes with very few protection features–Over Current Protection, Over Voltage Protection, and Short Circuit Protection. The non-international version of the ModStream, which is what we have here today, does not come with Active PFC. While Active PFC is only available in the international version, it should be included in “our” version as well.

Test Setup

Testing Setup and Methods:

• AMD Athlon64 3000+ Winchester
• MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
• 2 x 512MB Centon Low Latency PC3200
• ATI Radeon X800 Pro
• Hitachi 80GB SATA 7200PRM
• Western Digital 30GB 7200RPM
• Pioneer 10x DVD-Rom
• Sony Floppy
• 2 x 80mm Antec fans
• DLink 802.11b wireless NIC

Running Stock:

• AMD Athlon64 3000+ Winchester – 1.8GHZ @ 1.4v
• Centon Low Latency PC3200 – 200HTT 1:1 200MHZ @ 2.5v
• ATI Radeon X800 Pro – 475/450
• VAGP 1.5v

Running Overclocked:

• AMD Athlon64 3000+ Winchester – 2.52GHZ @ 1.65v
• Centon Low Latency PC3200 – 280HTT 1:1 280MHZ @ 2.85v
• ATI Radeon X800 Pro – 500/500
• VAGP 1.65v

The ModStream comes with a -5v rail, allowing the use of a DDR Booster as well as reading motherboard diagnostic LEDs.

Testing the power supply is a tedious task. Like cooling products, the “proper” testing method is long and strenuous. It involves high end equipment and testing materials that we simply cannot get our hands on. A simple proper testing method would be to test the wattage draw from the AC outlet, voltage rail fluctuations, wattage fluctuations under high operating temperatures, power efficiency, and the power supply’s reaction to low input voltage. But because this site is dedicated more to overclocking, we’ll check for voltage fluctuations in an overclocked environment. After all, that is what overclockers generally care about.

Results

To test the power supply, a digital multimeter was used. For idle voltage readings, the system was left on the desktop not running any programs. For full load, the system ran 2 instances of CPU Burn-in, Prime95 torture test for maximum power consumption, and the Nature test in 3DMark2001SE. CPU Burn-in is a good program to maximize the CPU load. The results on the 3.3v and 5v rails are like most high end power supplies, pretty stable. The 3.3v did drop a little, due to the lower amps provided, but it still managed to stay higher than the standard 3.3v. The 12v rail is where the ModStream didn’t shine. Because of the lower amps provided, the 12v took a hit when overclocking was involved. Although it stayed within the 5% safety zone, overclockers still like to know that the rails stay near 12v.

Conclusion and Thoughts

The ModStream is a very nice and solid power supply that should have no troubles satisfying the case modders out there. Those who want to have a nice and neat system will be happy to know that the cables aren’t very rigid and bend easily for hiding and tucking. Unfortunately, the ModStream left me a bit disappointed. I went into the review expecting the same quality as the PowerStream, but found it lacking. The only thing I really didn’t like about the ModStream was the emptiness inside the power supply. I don’t mean that there weren’t quality parts used, but I’m just referring to the unused space around the sides of the power supply. That is my major concern. Why waste some space when you can fill it up? Other than that, everything about the ModStream seems to be fairly intact. The cables are nicely shielded and the fan is pretty. The noise level is nonexistent and the performance is decent. Overall, I find that the ModStream’s qualities are exactly what most people look for. A nice looking modular power supply that is quiet and provides good performance.

We would like to thank OCZ for providing us the sample. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit us up in the forums. You can also check out more of our latest reviews on the front page.

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