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OCZ ProXStream 1000W


Date
: 02/21/07 – 04:28:09 AM

Author
:

Category
: Power Supplies

Page 1 : Introduction

Manufacturer
: OCZ

Price
: $350 @ Newegg

OCZ is the kind of company all performance computing users will recognize. Ever since their humble beginnings in 2002, OCZ has been churning out excellent products one after another. Despite their success and large product line, OCZ has not forgotten about customers, in fact they try to ensure each and every customer is 110 percent satisfied.

In mid 2004, OCZ expanded their line of products to include power supplies while challenging long established power supply manufacturers. Ever since then, OCZ built quite a name a reputation for their power supplies, in fact are often regarded as one of the bests. Today, we are going to look at the ProXStream, the latest and hopefully greatest addition to OCZ's line of power supplies.

Each day we hear about more and more powerful computer components promising to build a life-like virtual reality on our screens, unfortunately, these CPUs and video cards tend to be quite power hungry. This is where OCZ's ProXStream 1000W APFC comes in, with a combined total of 70A separated on four individual 12V rails it is bound to shrug off even the most demanding systems!

Page 2 : Specifications

Here is what OCZ has to say about the ProXStream 1000W:

Large power supplies may not be an issue for all, but small form factor builders or even cases with top blow hole exhausts, large power supplies may not be a viable option. Next we will take a look at specifications:

This power supply bundles in what high end work stations and gamers need, truly fitting of the name ProXStream. However power is not the only thing that users are looking for, OCZ boasts that their 1000W ProXStream is one of the quietest 1KW power supplies available.

Because this power supply is designed for extremely high end computers, you can expect extra long cables and a plethora of connectors!

1 – 24 Pin Motherboard Connector
1 – 4 Pin +12V Motherboard Connector
6 – 4 Pin Molex Connectors
2 – 4 Pin Floppy Power Connectors
4 – PCI Express Connectors
6 – SATA Connectors
1 – 8 Pin EPS Connector

With the rapid changing list of latest and greatest CPUs and graphics cards, modern computer systems constantly become more and more power hungry. The OCZ ProXStream's four individual rails capable of sustaining 20A each or 26A peak for a total of 70A should have no trouble feeding even the most power hungry system today.

Taking a quick peek at the label on the power supply, the UL number listed is E190414 which means this power supply is built by none other than FSP!

Page 3 : Package and Content

The ProXStream 1000W comes packed within a fairly big box complete with all the flash and brushed metal effects one would expect from OCZ.

The top, front and back panels of the box list main features and specifications. Surprisingly, OCZ has listed 'Quiet Operation' first on this list. From a unit capable of delivering 1000W in such a tiny package and cooled by a single 80mm fan, one would expect that noise would be a major issue!

Of course features aren't all consumers are looking for! Printed on the side is the input/ output capabilities of this power supply.

Inside is a manual, a bag of screws, power cord and the protected by a bubble wrap bag.

High end power supplies usually are larger than conventional power supplies because they must move away from conventional designs in order to perform above and beyond. Usually this results in the increase of size which hinders compatibility.

Because of its size, the unit can only fit a single 80mm fan, unfortunately this power supply will be louder than most current power supplies equipped with larger fans.

How exactly does OCZ manage to fit a 1KW unit in such a small package? Well lets open it up to find out!

With the cover removed, it is immediately obvious that this is not a traditional power supply. This unit is composed of two boards stacked on top of each other with multiple daughter boards attached.

I am no electrical engineer so I will not be able to explain how this works, but what I can tell you is that this unit uses some fairly good components!

On the bottom PCB we literally have a city of Rubycon capacitors! However, this does not hold true for the entire unit. The top PCB uses Ost and CapXon capacitors.

But of course, as always we can not judge a power supply bases on the components inside, so, lets head on over to testing!

Page 4 : Testing, Performance and Installation

In order to simulate system load we will be using peltiers. The reason for this is because when using an actual computer system there is no way we could accurately measure how much load we are putting on the power supply without some very expensive equipment.

12V1 and 12V2 will both be attached to a 320W pelt which draws 20.6A while 12V3 and 12V4 will be attached to 100W pelts which draw 8.3A. The total load of the four 12V rails will total 57.2A or 686.4W (81%). Both the 3.3V and 5V rails will be attached to two 125W pelts totalling 142.76W (95%). The total system load of all the rails total 819.2W.

Prior to any official tests, the unit will run with no load for two weeks or approximately 336 hours at an operation temperature of 21°C (room temperature will vary throughout this period) as a burn in period. We will be running two sets of tests, a cold and a hot test. This is to reflect different conditions the power supply could potentially encounter within an enclosed system. Cold tests will be run with an exhaust temperature of 21°C and hot tests will be run with an exhaust temperature of 45°C. All temperature and voltage readings will be recorded with two separate digital multimeters.

Now, lets get on with the results!

This power supply easily was able to handle a load of 820W, even under extreme conditions. The OCZ ProXStream has really demonstrated its ability to remain stable, but at the cost of noise.

Sound level tests were measured 1m away from the power supply at a 45 degree angle.

While these sound levels are enough to drive some people insane – take me for instance, they are inevitable in such a small power supply. Now, lets take a look at installation.

Due to the small size of the ProXStream mounting it will be no different than any other power supply; however the lengthy and plentiful wires may cause difficulties.

Page 5 : Conclusion

OCZ's ProXStream 1000W is truly a mixed bag; you win some you loose some. In this case, this power supply delivers unmatched power and extremely stable rails, but at the cost of a loud fan. Overall in terms of performance, this power supply is rock solid. It barely flinched; it took the nearly 830W load without any hesitation while maintaining its performance.

This power supply isn't meant for everybody, it is aimed at those who truly demand performance at any cost after all, those are the ones who run enough fans that their computer system needs to be chained down. Those who are willing to sacrifice anything and everything to squeeze out every drop of performance meet your future power supply.

Advantages

Excellent performance
Beautiful finish
Sleeved wires
Active PFC

Disadvantages

Do you really need it? Ask yourself twice cause big toys don't come cheap.
Loud

Overclockers Online would like to thank OCZ for making this review possible.