OCZ GameXstream 600W to be replaced with ModXstream Pro 700W.

[Addikt]

So my OCZ GameXstream blew up a couple of days ago. Luckily it is still under warranty and so after submitting a support ticket I got an RMA number.

The location that I'm supposed to RMA it to is close to where I live, and so I'm delivering the defective unit rather than mailing it. First, I called to see if they have my PSU in stock for replacement. I was informed that they are currently out and that the next shipment wasn't expected to arrive for another two weeks. I was also told that in such cases they usually replace the GameXstream 600w with a 700w ModXstream Pro (OCZ700MXSP).

I'm just wondering if this is a worthwhile upgrade as I've read that in some cases modular power supplies don't perform as well as their non-modular counterparts. Also I've heard that some OCZ PSUs are notorious for rippling. The reviews for these PSUs are few and far between and so I'm coming here to see if anyone could offer any insight.

Thanks.

 

[Zap]

As long as it is similar or higher wattage and similar or better build quality, then I'd go for it. I don't know exactly how their lines stack up, but seems as if the ModXStream is just the modular version of your PSU. I'd say go for it!

 

[Addikt]

That's what I was wondering. Like I said, reviews are few and far between and this is the pro version of the ModXstream, I heard they moved to a different OEM manufacturer. I also heard that there are only 2 12v rails as opposed to 4, but this might have only been for the 500W version. The problem is that all the information I've gathered is speculative as I haven't been able to verify it from any other source.

Also looking to hear from those who already own this particular power supply, is it stable? Anyone had any problems with it?

 

[Zap]

Hey guess what, HardOCP just reviewed it today. The OCZ 700W ModXStream Pro Power Supply, that is. Their conclusion?

FAIL

 

[AmberClad]

Yeowch....

I actually considered getting that PSU back when I was looking for a replacement for the HX520 I handed down to my secondary system. Not many choices as far as decent, good bang-for-the-buck 700-800W modular PSUs.

 

[Addikt]

Well, I just went ahead and replaced it. I figured that I couldn't really get anything worse than the Epsilon-based GameXstream I had, but I might have been wrong. Only time will tell.

My other options are to bitch and complain to see if I could get something done about it, which I'm not entirely sure I have the energy for at this point and might not even work, or just replace the unit entirely.

Another problem is that I don't know what my power needs are. I'm confident that I don't require even the 600w that my old GameXstream THEORETICALLY pumped out and so springing for a 700+ watt PSU seems like overkill to me. On the other hand I am looking at building a new rig soon with the release of Nehalem and perhaps want to use this to hedge against the increased power requirements of the new components I may purchase. For the time being however, I'm essentially running:

Intel C2D E6600
ATI X1900 XT
Asus P5W DH DX
6 Hard drives
DVD-RW
Sound Blaster X-FI gamer

As you can see, no dual GPU set-up. I don't think the power requirements are too high.

Finally, I'm conflicted with the price tag of these units. I never thought that I'd ever consider spending $200+ CDN on a simple power supply. You get what you pay for these days and it seems that far too many companies are pumping out low-quality, generic, horseshit product giving those that manufacture a decent product the justification to jack up their prices and brand it as an enthusiast component. I agree with Paul from the article, it's not only an unwise business strategy to resort to such corner-cutting it also has a negative impact on the market as a whole. In a society where business rules supreme, such unhealthy competition is an unwanted cancer.

Tangent mode "off."

So, with that said, what to do what to do? Bitch and complain? Break the bank? Or, just make due?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Addikt
Well, I just went ahead and replaced it.

It'll probably be fine for your setup. Someone reported that the PCB inside the ModXStream 700 to be labeled as a 550W. The testing at HardOCP certainly showed it was fine into the low 500W range.