What should I do?

[Patrick Wolf]

I have an ULTRA X-Connect 500W w/ blue UV. It's working great, and looks great, but I think I should get an OCZ Modstream 450 instead because it's PCI-E ready, has better, more stable rails. I would save about $8 if I returned the Ultra to zipzoomfly and got an OCZ from monarch.

I'm sure this is a no brainer question, but I wanted to ask anyway.

 

[KayKay]

I know you've heard a lot of x-connect bashing on the forum, but the power supply is not as bad as everyone makes it seem.

You can always get an x connect cable that will fit the 24 pin atx connector, or use an adapter.

what are the voltages on your rails? i have the same psu as you.mine are pretty stable,

from mbm 5:

+3.3 -> 3.30 V
+5 -> 5.05 V
+12 -> 12.04 V
-12 -> -12.11 V
-5 -> -4.99 V

and holding...
And i'm running a lot of stuff, 2 hdd's 2 optical, an lcd fan controller, 5 fans, 5 usb devices, network card, sound card, tv tuner card, as well as the usual cpu, 2 sticks of ram and vid card.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

I've got 2 Optical drives, 1 HDD, 1 floppy, a network card, and 3 case fans in addition to the specs in my sig.

I know there has been a lot bashing on this forum about the X-Connect, I defend it every time.

But the reviews over at silentPCreview.com changed my mind. Also the readings I've got from MBM5.

ON IDLE: (average)
+3.3 = 3.34
+5.00 = 5.14
+12.00 = 12.47 (this is what I find a little worrying)
-12.00 = -1.85
-5.00 = -1.25

I'm not sure how to properly perform a load test, but I did play Far Cry for 15 minutes in windowed mode while watching the readings on MBM5. The numbers dropped a little, while the +12V was consistently high.

I like this PS, but there are better, like the OCZ Modstream. The X-Connect is just too new of a product, and don't want to take any chances with it. Did you notice that it says "Patent Pending" on the box?

 

[KayKay]

it says patent pending on the modstream page on ocztechnology.com too, as i last recall.

yeah, the +12V reading on yours looks a little flaky to me. The modstream would have been my choice had i not gotten the x-connect for 69.99 Canadian.

yes from all the reviews i read about the x-connect, i do remember the silentpc review being the only one that was average at best. all the other reviews had nothing but good things to say.

but now that you mention that it would only cost you 8 bucks to return it, that sounds alright. don't forget to post how your modstream holds up:thumbsup:

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: KayKay
it says patent pending on the modstream page on ocztechnology.com too, as i last recall.

yeah, the +12V reading on yours looks a little flaky to me. The modstream would have been my choice had i not gotten the x-connect for 69.99 Canadian.

yes from all the reviews i read about the x-connect, i do remember the silentpc review being the only one that was average at best. all the other reviews had nothing but good things to say.

but now that you mention that it would only cost you 8 bucks to return it, that sounds alright. don't forget to post how your modstream holds up:thumbsup:

I will also check the readings when I hook up my new parts (check sig) tomorrow.

I've read at least 1 other review reporting the 12V rail being a little too high.

 

[Insomniak]

OCZ....this is a no brainer. I still refuse to touch Ultra. If they go two or three years and manage to build a good reputation over that time, then we can talk. Until then, it's branded, known-good PSUs for me.

OCZ. Don't take any chances.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
OCZ....this is a no brainer. I still refuse to touch Ultra. If they go two or three years and manage to build a good reputation over that time, then we can talk. Until then, it's branded, known-good PSUs for me.

OCZ. Don't take any chances.

With my budget, I can't afford to take ANY chances, so I guess it's OCZ for me.

 

[RussianSensation]

I have OCZ 420 with adjustable rails. With my old Turbolink PSU 3.3@24A, 5@35A, 12V@12A i used to get major undervoling to about 2.99 on 3.3 and 11.68 on 12 V average.

with OCZ 420

P4 2.6@3.2ghz
3.3@28A, 5@30A, 12@30A
=> 3.30V, 5.04V, 12.04V

that's over last 3 days running SETI@Home.