Date:
Tuesday , June 12, 2007
Author:
Paul Johnson
Editor:
Kyle Bennett
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OCZ 1000w Power Supply Duel

We take two very similar OCZ desktop power supplies and give them a through evaluation while getting to the bottom of just what is the true difference between the GameXStream and ProXStream line of PSUs from OCZ. Spend your cash wisely!

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Load Testing

For those of you that are curious as to some of the reasoning and equipment behind our PSU testing program here at HardOCP, we have put together a living document that shares a lot of the behind the scenes of the program. The testing we are conducting today is exactly as described in that document and will begin with a range of loads tested at 120v input including our torture test and then move on to the same set of tests at 100v input but without the torture test.

120v Load Testing Results

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100v Load Testing Results

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Test #1 is equal to approximately 25% of the rated capacity of the OCZ GameXStream 1010w at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 266w by loading the 12v rails to a combined 18a, the 5v rail to 3a, the 3.3v rail to 4a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.5a. The results of Test #1 at both 120v and 100v are good with the 12v rails starting off a bit above nominal. The efficiency at 120v is ~81% while at 100v it drops below 80%. The PF is a bit lower than typically seen on APFC units but it is still within the acceptable limits.

Test #2 is equal to approximately 50% of the rated capacity of the OCZ GameXStream 1010w at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 512w by loading the 12v rails to a combined 36a, the 5v rail to 6a, the 3.3v rail to 8a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.5a. Test #2 shows a bit of a drop in the output voltages across the board but these are minimal. The GameXStream's efficiency numbers have moved up nicely to the mid 80's at both 120v and 100v.

Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of the OCZ GameXStream 1010w at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 774w by loading the 12v rail to 56a, the 5v rail to 10a, the 3.3v rail to 10a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.5a. Test #3 shows another drop in the output voltages most noticeable on the 12v rails, however the outputs are still slightly above 12v as the unit started at ~12.3v. Efficiency figures have moved back down for both 120v and 100v sitting at ~81% at 100v and ~83% at 120v.

Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the OCZ GameXStream 1010w at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 997w by loading the 12v rail to 32a, the 5v rail to 13a, the 3.3v rail to 10a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.5a. Test #4 was a complete failure. The GameXStram was incapable of outputing either of its labeled 12v capacities or even power on at any combination of loads to achieve ~100% loading. When the load was increased by ramping up from Test #3 values the unit would consistently shut down at ~85% load.

The Torture Test

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Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the OCZ GameXStream 1010w at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 774w by loading the 12v rail to 60a, the 5v rail to 11a, the 3.3v rail to 11a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.5a. Following the failure of Test #4 and how close the final load value I was able to achieve was to the Torture Test I was concerned about the GameXStream surviving the Torture Test. However, the unit did fine and made it through our Torture Test of 8 hours. The efficiency was ~82% and the unit stayed very cool at 49c.

Overall the load testing portion of the GameXStream 1010w was disappointing. It seems that the GameXStream 1010w is pushing the DC output capacity of this unit beyond its limits when tested at our more relevant operating temperature of 45c. On the flipside, the tests it did complete the GameXStream did with apparent ease. The units fan is certainly capable of cooling the unit as the highest exhaust temperature recorded was below 50c with a 45c input. This coupled with the units good efficiency make it unlikely that the unit was overheating and was rather simply pushed too far in labeling the DC output.