OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W Review

paulktreg - 2008-12-10 14:17:28 in Power Supplies
Category: Power Supplies
Reviewed by: paulktreg   
Reviewed on: January 27, 2009
Price: $89.99

Introduction:

This time around I am going to have a look at a 600W power supply from one of the main players in the memory market. OCZ Technology entered the market in August 2000, producing high speed DDR and RDRAM memory modules. They are still highly regarded for their high quality DDR2 and DDR3 memory products, but have since expanded into other areas and produce a range of flash media, power supplies, cooling products, peripherals and gaming notebooks. Let's take a close look at one of their power supplies, the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W and see how well it performs.

"The ModXStream Pro Series is the superlative solution for driving today's gaming systems, and is NVIDIA® SLI™ certified to power dual graphics. Professional-grade yet designed with gamers and modders in mind, this PSU is stable, robust, and sports a sleek look and compact form factor. Kept ultra-cool with a load-controlled 140mm fan, the ModXStream Pro was engineered to be the quietest PSU available and eliminate distracting noises from your PC. 80+ Certified, featuring up to 86% efficiency at typical load, this leading-edge power supply remains rock solid and powerful while retaining superior efficiency under load. "

Closer Look:

High quality matt film coated packaging, gloss power supply photographs and a black and red theme certainly give a good first impression. There's no doubt about the wattage, which is given on the box lid along with a gloss power supply photograph, model, warranty details, SLI logo along with some of the main features. The underside of the box is along the same lines with a 80 Plus logo and more features.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The front and rear panels give the full feature list, specification table, agency approvals and paragraph about the power supply and its features. There is a small removable cutout in the front panel which gives access to a sturdy carry handle should it be needed.

 

 

Once again, no mistaking how much power the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W can deliver, along with power supply photographs and a brief sentence in ten different languages, which loosely translated says "Computer power supply for gamers and enthuiasts", I think!

 

 

Lift the lid and the instruction manual sits neatly on top of the plastic bag wrapped power supply. Unlike other power supplies I have reviewed, there is no foam protection over the top of the power supply. All the cables and accessories are neatly contained in a open-ended cardboard sleeve that sits neatly down the side of the power supply.

 

 

The plastic bag wrapped power supply along with the user manual, modular cables in zipped case and power cord with US power plug.

 

 

The packaging could be better and I was surprised to see no form of protection over the top of the power supply. The worlds postal systems are by no means perfect and it would be a shame if this power supply was damaged because of this omission. The accessories bundle is satisfactory for a power supply in this class, but the instruction manual is basic with 22 pages covering nine languages.

Closer Look (The Power Supply):

The OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W is finished in a slightly metallic matt black paint with a black fan grill bearing a silver and black OCZ logo at its centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honeycombed exhaust grill, IEC mains input connector and large on/off switch on the front and the modular cable connectors on the rear, black sockets for peripherals and red for PCI-E auxillary power. The label shows the modular cable socket voltages and 12V rail distribution (V1 and V2). The hardwired cables are sleeved all the way into the power supply which is nice to see and certainly improves the overall appearance of the unit.

 

 

One side of the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W has a large colorful label and a comprehensive specification label on the other.

 

 

The OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W utilises a large 140mm eleven-bladed fan, which should help keep the power supply cool and quiet.

 

 

Hardwired cables along with the full set of modular cables with colour coded plugs.

 

 

The cooling fan is a Globe RL4Z S1352512H rated at 12VDC 0.33A complete with plastic baffle. The internal photograph shows the layout of the printed circuit board and heatsink arrangement. The heatsinks are slotted to increase the surface area and speed up heat dissipation. I could not find any manufacturer marks on the printed circuit board, but couldn't help notice the main and other electrolytic capacitors rated at 85°C. 105°C is always better, but tend to be fitted only on premium/flagship power supplies.

 

 

I like the design of the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W, as it is well built, looks well, the finish is excellent and with the large 140mm cooling fan, should run cool and quiet. Let's see how well it performs.

 

Specification:

 

Ratings Table:

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATION
AC  Input

100-240VAC     10A     47-63Hz
DC Output
3V3
5V0
12V1
12V2
-12V
5VSB
Max Current
25A
25A
25A
25A
0.3A
2.5A
Max O/P Power
150W
504W
3.6W
12.5W
Total Power
600W

 

System Protection:

 

There are no details given on the packaging or in the user manual with regards to system protection. I had a look on the OCZ website, as instructed to do so in the user manual for support and technical information and the only snippet of information I could find is that the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W has over-voltage, over-power and short circuit protection.

For your information included with the power supply, and this is a first, was an OCZ Technology Certified Test Report giving an over-current total power shutdown value of 782.9W. That's quite a large overload, but no indications of how much load was on the individual rails. This illustrates the fact that you could quite easily be overloading the power supply in your computer and you wouldn't know it. Do your homework on component power requirements, before purchasing a power supply.

 

Safety & Agency Approvals:

 

UL, TUV, FCC, CE, CB.

 

Power Supply Weight:

 

WEIGHT
4.4lbs
2.0kg

 

Power Supply Connectors:

 

CONNECTORS
20+4 Pin Motherboard
Hard Wired
1
8 Pin EPS 12V
Hard Wired
1
4 Pin ATX 12V
Hard Wired
1
Molex 4 Pin
Modular
4
SATA Power
Modular
6
FDD 4 Pin Power
Modular
2
PCI-Express 6+2 Pin
Modular
1
PCI-Express 6 Pin
Modular
1

 

Power Supply Cable Lengths:

 

CABLE LENGTHS
Type

Approximate Cable Lengths & Connector Spacings
Qty
Hard Wired
PSU > 18” > 20+4 Motherboard
1
Hard Wired
PSU > 18” > 8 Pin EPS 12V
1
Hard Wired
PSU > 18” > 4 Pin ATX 12V
1
Modular
PSU > 18” > Molex > 6” > Molex > 6” > FDD
2
Modular
PSU > 18” > SATA > 6” > SATA > 6” > SATA
2
Modular
PSU > 18” > PCI-Express 6+2 Pin
1
Modular
PSU > 18” > PCI-Express 6 Pin
1

 

Features:

 

Exactly as printed on the box.

 

 

Testing:

For more information on how we test our power supplies, please browse our testing methodology.

Electrical Safety:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TEST (Class 1)
Manufacturer/Model
Pass/Fail
OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W
Pass

 

Short Circuit Protection:

I short circuited the 3V3, 5V0 and both 12V lines in turn. The power supply did shut down, and once the short was removed and the unit switched off for at least one second, resumed normal operation. Although listed here at the beginning of the testing section, I tend to leave this test until the very end, in case it doesn't quite go to plan.

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation:

 

Mains Input Voltage 110VAC

 

 

DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE LOAD REGULATION
AC SUPPLY = 110V / DC LOAD = 0W
PSU DC Line
Measured Voltage(V)
+3V3
3.40
+5V0
5.12
+12V1
12.15
+12V2
12.15
-12V
11.73
+5VSB
5.15

 

DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE LOAD REGULATION

AC SUPPLY = 110V / DC LOAD = 113W (19% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.39
3.19
10.81
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
5.04
4.70
23.69
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.32
2.61
32.15
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.32
2.60
32.03
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.85
0.35
4.14
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
5.01
2.07
10.37
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
113W
 

 

DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE LOAD REGULATION

AC SUPPLY = 110V / DC LOAD = 292W (49% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.39
8.17
27.69
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
5.04
9.35
47.12
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.32
8.23
101.39
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.33
8.21
101.23
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.99
0.35
4.20
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
5.00
2.07
10.35
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
292W
 

 

DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE LOAD REGULATION

AC SUPPLY = 110V / DC LOAD = 584W (97% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.38
12.71
42.96
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
5.08
13.96
70.92
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.24
18.70
228.89
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.24
18.49
226.32
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
12.14
0.36
4.37
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
5.00
2.07
10.35
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
584W
 

 

Mains Input Voltage 230VAC

 

 

DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE LOAD REGULATION
AC SUPPLY = 230V / DC LOAD = 0W
PSU DC Line
Measured Voltage(V)
+3V3
3.40
+5V0
5.11
+12V1
12.15
+12V2
12.15
-12V
11.72
+5VSB
5.15

 

DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE LOAD REGULATION

AC SUPPLY = 230V / DC LOAD = 113W (19% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.39
3.19
10.81
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
5.04
4.70
23.69
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.32
2.61
32.15
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.32
2.60
32.03
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.84
0.35
4.14
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
5.01
2.07
10.37
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
113W
 

 

DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE LOAD REGULATION

AC SUPPLY = 230V / DC LOAD = 292W (49% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.39
8.24
27.93
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
5.04
9.38
47.27
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.33
8.22
101.35
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.33
8.20
101.11
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.99
0.35
4.20
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
5.00
2.07
10.35
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
292W
 

 

DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE LOAD REGULATION

AC SUPPLY = 230V / DC LOAD = 586W (98% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.38
12.77
43.16
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
5.08
14.06
71.42
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.24
18.71
229.01
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.25
18.57
227.48
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
12.14
0.36
4.37
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
5.00
2.07
10.35
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
586W
 

 

For your information and for the first time, I have included the no-load voltages with the power supply jumped. You will notice they are actually quite close to the loaded values and give an indication of what to expect should you need to quickly test a power supply.

The DC output voltage load regulation of the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W is excellent. The 12V rails are a little higher than other power supplies in this class, but they are still well within the limits set by the ATX 12V specification. No problems so far, so let's move on.

 

Testing (Continued):

Efficiency and Power Factor:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUTPUT & EFFICIENCY @ 110VAC
DC Load (W)
AC Load (W)
PF
Efficiency (%)
Pass/Fail
0
5
0.62
N/A
N/A
113
142
0.92
80
Pass
292
357
0.98
82
Pass
584
754
1.00
77
Pass

 

OUTPUT & EFFICIENCY @ 230VAC
DC Load (W)
AC Load (W)
PF
Efficiency (%)
Pass/Fail
0
7
0.40
N/A
N/A
113
138
0.92
82
Pass
292
347
0.97
84
Pass
586
727
0.98
81
Pass

 

The requirements of 80 Plus certification are greater than or equal to 80% efficiency and 0.9 power factor or better at 20%, 50% and 100% load for all rated AC input voltages. The OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W didn't quite meet the requirements of its claimed 80 Plus certification with an efficiency of 77% at full load on 110VAC. The results at all other stages are satisfactory and an efficiency of 84% at 230VAC is very good. These results are very typical with a peak efficiency at approximately 50% of rated full load, excellent power factors at 110VAC and excellent efficiency at 230VAC. The power supply gets an overall pass at all stages, because it meets the requirements of the ATX12V V2.2 specification for ATX power supplies.

 

AC Ripple On DC Outputs:

 

I have consistently found the AC ripple levels on the DC rails to be more or less equal with a 110VAC or 230VAC mains supply. The results given below are for 230VAC only, but I will continue to check the levels at 110VAC during testing and publish them below if they differ in any way.

 

AC Ripple On 3V3 Rail at 230VAC

Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 10uS/div

 

AC Ripple On 5V0 Rail at 230VAC

Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 10uS/div

 

AC Ripple On 12V1 Rail at 230VAC

Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 20mv/div, Timebase = 10uS/div

 

AC RIPPLE/NOISE
DC Output
+3V3
+5V0
+12V
-12V0
+5VSB
Ripple (mV p-p)
35
        50
100
120
20

 

The noise level on the -12V rail is borderline and on the limit of 120mV, but is nevertheless still acceptable. An overall pass in this section so let's move on.

 

Testing(Continued):

Temperature, Noise Levels and Fan Speeds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am not going to give a pass or fail in this section, as the ATX12V V2.2 does not really have any references on which to base a decision.

Temperatures are purely for information only, as there are too many variables involved when installed in a case, which, by the way, it wasn't. Ambient temperature, processor cooling efficiency and case cooling fans all play their part on the temperature of the air entering the power supply, and consequently the temperature of the air leaving it. No valid conclusions can be made from this test.

 

DC Loading
Temp In (°C)
Temp Out (°C)
Δ Temp (°C)
Fan Speed (RPM)
113W
21.2
27.3
6.1
521
292W
22.2
33.1
10.9
714
586W
22.2
36.4
14.2
1314

 

I was quite surprised with the low noise level of the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W, even at full load. This test is a little unrealistic because the power supply is not installed in a case and the temperatures will therefore be higher in the real world, but when compared to other power supplies I have tested in this class, it is cooler and the fan ran at lower speeds.

 

Conclusion:

Environmental Factors:

The OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W did not contain as much foam as other units I have tested. While this does give reduced impact protection, it gains points in this section. Good efficiency and power factor levels give reduced power consumption, with lower shipping costs due to weight, all add up to help even further.

 

Price Per the Watt:

Power Supply OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W at $89.99 = $0.15/Watt (January 2009)

 

The OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W performed very well for a power supply in this class. It did fail to deliver 80 Plus compliance using the OCC Testing Methodology , but only just and the DC quality could be better. Yet if efficiency isn't at the top of your list, the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W still performed as good as any in its class and a maximum efficiency of 84% is not to be ignored. The OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W carries Nvidia SLI certification for low end 7000 series cards, which due the available connectors, is all that it is able to support without the use of adapter cables. The price/performance ratio of the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W is very good and will make this power supply a very attractive purchase. It is more than capable of running any high-end single graphic card set up. It looks very well in my opinion and the overall performance is satisfactory. Don't let the minor failures put you off too much and if you are in the market for a 600W unit, the OCZ ModXStream-Pro 600W is worth considering.

 

Pros:

 

Cons: