What's new
  • Please do not post any links until you have 3 posts as they will automatically be rejected to prevent SPAM. Many words are also blocked due to being used in SPAM Messages. Thanks!

OCZ EliteXStream 800W Power Supply Review

Status
Not open for further replies.

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
345473d5093f4239.png


OCZ EliteXStream 800W Power Supply Review




Product Number: OCZ800EXS
Price: Click Here to Compare Prices
Manufacturer’s Product Page: OCZ EliteXStream Power Supply
Fan Size: 1x 120mm
Warranty: 5 Years
Availability: Now



Is it just me or does it seem like every company out there is literally clamoring to release their own power supplies lately? I know it isn’t just me since the market trends tend to bare this out to a tee. Three years ago the power supply arena was a battleground for the chosen few who dominated the landscape but much has changed in such a short time. Thanks to the hard work of the Preachers of Quality Power, gone are the days when the majority of internet-savvy consumers are completely oblivious about the importance of a proper power supply. Yet, with this blossoming realization in the consumers’ mindset came the opportunity for companies to make a profit by offering brand-name power supplies to the waiting masses.

One of the first companies to realize this budding enthusiasm for power supplies was memory-maker OCZ. At the time, they were not only recognized for their high performance memory but also for their well-received first stab at the power supply market: the PowerStream series. About two years ago, the PowerStream series was busily fading into legend and OCZ realized that it was time for something different. It was April 2006; France was raising its arms in protest over the CPE, the Danube was overflowing its banks causing catastrophic floods in Europe, the US Midwest was struck by the worst tornado season in years…and OCZ released their insanely popular GameXstream series. Upon hitting store shelves is was immediately obvious that OCZ has struck a cord with consumers everywhere and while GameXstreams flew off the shelves, the competition already was plotting. OCZ proved the market was hungry for brand-name, high-wattage power supplies and their competitors released their answering products. Over the next few years they would release a succession of modular units, expand on the GameXstream series and release the lower-priced StealthXstream power supplies as well.

So here we are more than two years after the release of the best-selling GameXStream series and OCZ is ready for an encore presentation with the announcement of their new EliteXStream power supplies. This marks the next evolution of OCZ power supplies with a new OEM and the experience of PC Power & Cooling firmly assimilated into the OCZ ranks. Unlike two years ago, the competition is now fiercer than ever so this new child of OCZ will have to stand out that much more to be considered a viable option for consumers.

Available in 800W and 1000W formats (we will be reviewing the 800W unit today), with prices hovering around $155 and $220 CAD respectively and the piece of mind that comes with OCZ’s incredible 5-year warranty these power supplies look to offer surprising value. Just to give you an idea of how pricing stands; the EliteXstream 800W is priced LESS than the lowest prices we found for the Silverstone Olympia 750W, Thermaltake Toughpower 700W and numerous other 700W to 750W units on the market. If OCZ is looking to bury the competition, they have definitely set the price at the right level. But, can the performance of the EliteXstream live up to the longstanding tradition of quality OCZ products? Let’s find out!!

EXS800-6.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Features & Specifications

Features & Specifications

From OCZ

The EliteXStream power supply family is the top choice for high-powered gaming systems and workstations. Designed to offer the consumer market an enthusiast-grade computer power supply with a state-of-the-art architecture, the EliteXStream is the ultimate power solution for those that require the ultra-efficient, advanced reliability, high-wattage solutions for leading-edge gaming machines.

OCZ designed the 800W and 1000W EliteXStream for optimum power distribution to all components by utilizing the highly efficient "single +12V rail" design perfected by PC Power & Cooling. This trail-blazing approach to +12V rail design ends the need to budget power "across the rails" as is the case with the less effective multi-rail design found in the vast majority of high-performance PSUs on the market today.

Providing sufficient power for all your high-end components including multiple GPUs, the EliteXStream will provide stable, well distributed, certified power to today?s most power hungry platforms and beyond. Each powerful yet energy-efficient EXS model is certified under the 80+ Certified program so they run cool and save on utility power.

The EliteXStream will be available in 800W and 1000W configurations, delivering up to 1KW of continuous power through a complete array of connectors including four 8 pin (6+2) PCI-E and 17 drive connectors and is kept supremely cool with a large 120mm fan and features a standard ATX power supply form factor. The EliteXStream offers one of the industry's most robust consumer power supply designs on the market, and is backed by an incredible 5 year warranty and unmatched technical support from OCZ.


EXS800-32.jpg
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Packaging & Accessories

Packaging & Accessories



EXS800-1.jpg
EXS800-2.jpg

Since this is a brand new power supply line for OCZ it seems like they decided to revamp their usual packaging scheme to better fit a high-end power supply. By decking it out in a classy black and blue color scheme, OCZ has definitely done well with conveying as much information as possible about the features of the EliteXStream without using gaudy graphics. The front holds a picture of the power supply along with several bullet points outlining the benefits it brings to the table. Meanwhile, the back of the box holds yet more talk of features as well as the 80Plus logo and an indication of the 5-year Power Swap warranty.

EXS800-3.jpg
EXS800-4.jpg

Bullet points are the name of the game here and even the side has them aplenty with mention of a very impressive claim that the EliteXStream can deliver its total output at 50°C. Since we have no way to test this we will have to take OCZ’s word for it.

Once the box is opened, we see that the power supply is protected quite well by both top and bottom foam inserts as well as a pink plastic bag to protect it against scratches. Additionally, all of the cables are pushed off to the side in order to provide a bit more lateral protection.

EXS800-5.jpg

The no-frills accessory list includes an instruction manual, a standard power cord, mounting screws and a pair of very small zip-ties. Considering the price OCZ is asking for the EliteXStream, the lack of any additional accessories is completely understandable.
 
Last edited:

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Exterior Impressions

Exterior Impressions



EXS800-6.jpg
EXS800-7.jpg

The exterior of the EliteXStream 800W is somewhat drab and plain looking but that is exactly the way we like our power supplies. There is no need for fancy LED fans, see-through acrylic windows or multicolored cables; if a power supply performs well, it shouldn’t need to be dolled up in order to sell. That being said, the unit is finished in a stunning gunmetal grey with hint of metal flake and a high gloss finish. While this finish is an absolute magnet for scratches, fingerprints don’t show up all that well.

Lately, it seems like a vast percentage of the high-end power supply market is moving towards 135mm and even gargantuan 140mm fans but OCZ seems content with staying on the 120mm course. This choice of a 120mm fan also brings the actual size of the power supply into stark contrast since as you can see the EliteXStream is a good inch longer than a standard ATX unit. However, since this is a quite minimal deviation form the ATX design criteria there should be no problem fitting this power supply into any case on the market.

EXS800-9.jpg
EXS800-11.jpg

The 120mm fan has a black(ish) painted grille which partially hides the OCZ logo sticker that is placed atop the fan’s massive center hub. As we can see, OCZ decided against using an LED fan.

Unfortunately, not only is the cable opening extremely tight but it is also devoid of any kind of protection for the cables. In this area we like to see at least a small plastic grommet which protects the sleeving and the wires from a usually very sharp metal edge. However, for whatever reason OCZ has decided against this tiny expense so we will see in a later section if this has a negative impact on the cables themselves.

EXS800-8.jpg
EXS800-10.jpg

One side of the EliteXStream 800W has the OCZ and EliteXStream logos punched into it which give it a great little touch. However, given the way this unit is mounted, you will never see this since it will be pointed towards the motherboard tray. For shame!!

We have now (finally) come to the back of the power supply which holds the usual AC input plug, on / off switch and also a small light. This light turns itself on when the power supply is on or on standby and turns itself off when the unit is completely powered down. There is also the prerequisite perforated metal grille which provides an outlet for all the hot blown around by the intake fan.
 
Last edited:

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Cables and Connectors / Output Specifications

Cables and Connectors



- Molex: 8 Connectors
o 2x 44” length (4 Connectors each)

- SATA: 8 Connectors
o 2x 44” length (4 connectors each)

- PCI-E 6+2 pin: 4 Connectors
o 4x 25” length

- PCI-E 6-Pin: 2 Connectors
o 2x 20” length

- Floppy: 1 Connectors (@ end of Molex cable)
o 1x 28” length

- 24-pin ATX Connector: 26 1/2” length

- 4+4 Pin CPU Connector: 23” length


Be still our beating hearts because we have one hell of a cable package here. While they may not be modular, the cables on the EliteXStream have almost set a record with the longest average cable length of any power supply we have ever tested. To have these kinds of cable lengths is like a dream come true for anyone who is obsessed with routing cables throughout their case. Even if you have a normal-sized ATX enclosure you will absolutely love the flexibility longer cables give you. Jolly good job OCZ.

EXS800-13.jpg
EXS800-14.jpg

Well, here we have the bucket-o-spaghetti of cables we get with a power supply without a modular interface. Don’t get us wrong, we happen to love non-modular power supplies as much as their modular brothers; it is just a shock seeing how many cables there are to hide. Here we can also see the one major issue we have with the EliteXStream up to this point: the fact that the Molex and SATA cables are only sleeved up until the first connector. We have seen this before with some Silverstone power supplies which use the same OEM but we were hoping not to see it on one of OCZ’s “Elite” units.

Other than that, the sleeving is perfectly done since it is not rigid enough to cause an issue bending the cables while it isn’t loose enough to cause a bloody mess like we have seen in the past.

EXS800-15.jpg
EXS800-12.jpg

All of the 8-pin PCI-E cables are denoted by their red tips which are quite a bit different than the usual black and thus they tend to stand out quite a bit in a case. That being said, all four PCI-E connectors are of the 6+2-pin variety and have no problem fitting into the somewhat tight connectors on 9800GX2 cards.

Those of you running motherboards with 4-pin CPU connectors will be left out in the cold since the EliteXStream 800W comes with a single 8-pin CPU connector without a +4+pin in sight. Then again, if you are using a motherboard with only a 4-pin connector you probably won’t need anything close to an 800W power supply anyways.


Output Specifications



EXS800-24.jpg

It seems like with this power supply, OCZ is really going for the goal of powering extremely high-end rigs since the EliteXStream uses a single +12V rail which is rated at a beefy 62A. This is means that of 93% of the unit’s total power is available on the +12V rail so it will feel right at home in any of today’s +12V-centric systems.

There have been quite a few raging arguments out there regarding which type of power supply is better; either one with a single rail or one with multiple rails. To be honest, if a multi-rail power supply has its rails (or OCP circuits depending on the unit) set up in the right configuration with the most power hungry components each being powered by a separate rail, a user would never know they have a multi-rail power supply. However, since some multi-rail units don’t have a sensible +12V rail layout, there are understandably many consumers out there who would and should be looking at single rail units. So, while a multi-rail power supply is good we happen to love the fact that OCZ went for a single +12V rail on their EliteXStream 800W.
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Interior Impressions

Interior Impressions



EXS800-17.jpg

Once the warranty is voided and the top of the case is removed we can see the innards of the EliteXStream 800W which are a virtual mirror image of those of one other power supply we have reviewed: the Silverstone DA850. This resemblance is not too surprising since both this OCZ unit and Silverstone’s modular 850W power supply are made by Impervio Electronics and look to be loosely based on the same platform. However, there are a few differences we can see right off the bat. First of all (other than the fact there is no modular interface on this OCZ) we can see that a pair of large, ribbed, Topower-esque heatsinks are used in the place of the DA850’s hunks of aluminum. These black heatsinks allow more airflow to circulate down onto the components instead of them being blocked by solid heatsinks. The other things we see that is different are the fact OCZ has specified a blue PCB be used and there also seems to be larger transformers on this unit as well.

EXS800-18.jpg
EXS800-21.jpg

The primary filtering side is extremely well appointed with a trio of Hitachi 150°C capacitors which is a bit of a departure from the 85°C Toshin Kogyos we saw on the DA850. There is also a massive choke along with a vertical PCB. Meanwhile, the caps on the secondary side are completely made up of Teapos which is another good choice that we have seen on many high-end power supplies.

EXS800-20.jpg
EXS800-19.jpg

The input filtering seems to have been revised from what we saw on the Silverstone unit all those months back and made a bit more substantial. Right next to the AC input, there is yet another vertical PCB which holds three potentiometers which seem to control +12V, +3.3V and +5V voltages as well as a single fan header. The two additional connectors you see on the right of the PCB are attached to a pair of thermistors which are in turn installed on two of the heatsinks. Basically, these thermistors pick up the interior temperatures of the EliteXStream which will then control the fan speed based temperature instead of load.

EXS800-23.jpg
EXS800-22.jpg

It seems like the OCZ uses and will be using the PCB of this power supply for their 1000W EliteXStream as well and even though it is silk-screened onto the PCB, we have not heard of any plans to release a 900W unit. We are guessing that OCZ has left open the possibility of manufacturing a 900W version in case sales of the 800W and 100W do well.

As we had mentioned earlier, the lack of a plastic grommet around the cable opening on the exterior housing of the EliteXStream 800W was concerning and it seems like this concern was warranted. Even though the ATX cable sleeving seems perfectly intact, the finer weave of the other cables seems to be unraveling due to the sharp edge of the housing. Since the weave is very well done, we can’t see this causing any long-term problems and if there are problems in the future we have no doubt that OCZ’s well-oiled RMA machine will spring into quick action.

EXS800-16.jpg

The fan used on the OCZ EltieXstream 800W is a Protechnic MGA12012HF-025 120mm rifle bearing fan which is rated at a maximum speed of 1600RPM while producing approximately 38dBA of noise. Overall these are respectable numbers and should make this fan quiet enough for computing needs while producing good airflow throughout the interior of the power supply.
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Efficiency / Voltage Regulation Testing

Performance Tests



System Used:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 3.5Ghz (B3)
Processor #2: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.6Ghz
Memory: 4GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 @ 1600Mhz (Thanks to Corsair)
Motherboard: Asus Blitz Extreme
Motherboard#2: DFI LANParty X38 Dark
Graphics Cards: 2X Gigabyte HD2900XT 512MB
Graphics Card #3: ASUS 9800GX2 TOP
Disk Drive: Pioneer DVD Writer
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 320GB SATAII
Hard Drive #2 Hitachi Deskstar 500GB SATAII
Fans: 5X Yate Loon 120mm @ 1200RPM
Monitor: Samsung 305T

For our complete power supply testing methodology, please go here: Hardware Canucks Power Supply Testing Methodology


Efficiency Testing

EXS800-31.jpg

Efficiency seems to be a strong point of the EliteXStream 800W where in some cases it betters the results we saw with the HX1000W while falling behind in others. This was surprising since when we tested the Silverstone DA850 (which is based on the same platform as this unit) we found that its efficiency was a bit below expectations. It seems like Impervio has improved their design in order to shore up efficiency a bit.

One thing that was a bit disturbing was the fact that the EliteXStream consumed nearly twice as much power as the other two power supplies tested here when the computer was turned off. Yes, a computer consumes power when it is turned off and the only way to stop this “leakage” is to manually switch off the power supply. 20W is quite a bit of a surprise since when we last saw this Impervio platform it performed quite well in this test.


Voltage Regulation Testing

+3.3V Regulation

EXS800-25.jpg


+5V Regulation

EXS800-26.jpg


+12V Regulation

EXS800-27.jpg

The EliteXStream does extremely well in the voltage regulation tests and proved to be completely solid through even the most strenuous test we put it through. The largest drop on the +12V rail was a mere 0.07V from idle which is really something OCZ can be proud of while the +5V and +3.3V rails performed equally well. The only discrepancy we saw was a sudden drop in the +5V rail in the System Stress test which was a bit odd considering we weren’t loading many components which use +5V power.
 
Last edited:

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Output Quality Testing / Acoustical Performance

Output Quality Testing

+3.3V Ripple Testing

EXS800-28.jpg


+5V Ripple Testing

EXS800-29.jpg


+12V Ripple Testing

EXS800-30.jpg

It looks like all is quiet on the Western Front. With this power supply OCZ has not only demonstrated that they have a product with stable rails and good efficiency but also with extremely good ripple suppression. There wasn’t even one test where the traces went anywhere near the ATX specified maximum values proving that this is a hell of performer in every category. Naturally, there were slight spikes when load was increased on certain rails from one test to the next but there was absolutely nothing to be concerned about at all.


Acoustical Performance


When many of us see a modern power supply with a 120mm or larger fan we naturally expect it to be whisper quiet but forget that a lot of the acoustical properties are linked to how the fan speed is controlled. In less efficient power supplies the fan speed will need to be a lot higher as load increases due to the excess heat produced by the interior components. On the flip side of the coin, a more efficient power supply will have less output power lost to heat production which in turn means the fan can spin at lower RPMs. Naturally, a larger fan will produce more airflow at lower speeds than smaller fan will which is why manufacturers are moving towards larger and larger fans on their power supplies.

OCZ’s choice of a 120mm fan may have some people scratching their heads wondering why a larger fan wasn’t used but we can tall you here and now that this is one quiet power supply. While not completely silent, at not one point during our testing did its fan speed increase to the point where we could hear it above the noise produced by our case fans. Even in the final hour of the System Stress test the only sound produced was a muted “whoosh” that was easily lost in the background noise of a running computer.
 

SKYMTL

HardwareCanuck Review Editor
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
12,840
Location
Montreal
Conclusion

Conclusion



When we first opened the box of the OCZ EliteXStream 800W, we were honestly not blown away by anything upon that first fleeting glance. It looked like any number of black-painted, 120mm fan-totting power supplies that have passed through our hands within the last six months. And then we saw the cable lengths and instantly fell in love. Even though cable lengths aren’t the first thing we look for in a power supply, they are a major deciding factor for many people; especially those who have cases with bottom mounted power supplies. While the cable lengths were definitely a welcome surprise, they can be brushed aside if the performance of a power supply is lacking. Luckily, the EliteXStream showed us again and again that it could put out some phenomenal numbers when it came to being pushed by some extremely power hungry components. Its efficiency numbers were very good, its voltage regulation was above reproach and ripple suppression was among the best we have tested. What more is there to ask for in a power supply?

We may rave about certain aspects about the EliteXStream but there are some unfortunate slip-ups here which we have berated other power supplies for in the past. As we have seen, the sleeving job on the cables can only be described as a bit lazy with sleeving on the SATA and Molex cables stopping at the first connector. The wires are then left to tumble free while displaying their multi-colored glory all over an otherwise clean build. Other than this, the only thing which bothered us a bit was the fact that there was no plastic grommet around the area where the cables enter the housing of the EliteXStream. This shouldn’t cause many long-term issues since the sleeving itself is tightly bound at certain intervals with zip-ties.

Indeed, the OCZ EliteXStream has many endearing qualities about it but none more so than its price. With this unit retailing for under $170 here in Canada, OCZ has just set a new benchmark for affordability in the high-end power supply market. There are plenty of us who love the prestige (*cough* large e-peen *cough*) that comes with having an ultra-expensive power supply, but this unit has proven great performance doesn’t have to carry with it great cost.

So with solid performance, a 5-year warranty, ultra long cables, and quiet operation all backed up with an absolutely stunning price, the OCZ EliteXStream 800W gets our Dam Good Value Award.


Pros:

- Price
- Cable length
- Great overall performance
- 5-year warranty
- Quiet operation at all loads

Cons:

- Some cables partially sleeved
- Higher than normal power consumption when computer is turned off


24046d2ee78a9861.gif

Thanks to OCZ for sending us this power supply​

 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top