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!

Introduction

OCZ Technology is a company that has been around in various forms since 2000 and is most well known for marketing high performance memory modules. However, like a number of other companies the reshaped OCZ has diversified their offerings to include power supplies, cooling products, and even video cards once more. In recent news OCZ Technology has acquired PC Power and Cooling naming PC Power and Cooling’s Doug Dodson as Chief Technology Officer. We however, are primarily interested in their power supply lineup and today have an OCZ head to head review to present that includes two power supplies from pre-OCZ/PC Power and Cooling times; the OCZ GameXStream 1010w (OCZGXS1010)and ProXStream 1000w (OCZ1000PXS).

Interestingly enough, both the GameXStream and the ProXStream come from the same OEM, but from different groups at FSP. The GameXStream is from the FSP Epsilon line while the ProXStream is from 3Y, a company FSP has controlling interest in. FSP can be found providing OEM services for at various times OCZ (such as today) with the GameXStream and ProXStream, Zalman, Aopen, Antec (Basiq) and many more. This wide distribution of power supplies by FSP is not surprising given that they have been in business since 1993 and are one of the top 10 producers of power supplies coupled with being widely regarded as a manufacturer of basic workhorse type power supplies that just get the job done. 3Y was founded in 1985 but had limited distribution until the 1990’s. Enthusiasts rarely see 3Y products as the vast majority of the company’s products have typically targeted the server/workstation/enterprise market. However, with FSP having controlling interest some of their designs have entered the enthusiast realm through companies such as OCZ (EvoStream and ProXStream). With this step out of the shadows and into partnership with OCZ we have seen both the ProXStream and the GameXStream show up with a bit more panache than is typically seen from FSP (or 3Y) branded offerings.

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With two offerings both in the 1000w range how does OCZ differentiate these two products and what groups are being targeted by each? A quick peek at OCZ’s webpage reveals:

GameXStream 1010w

The SLI-Ready GameXStream 600/700/850/1010 Watt power supplies are designed specifically for the demanding computing environments of PC Enthusiasts, Power Users, and Gamers. As more and more gamers take advantage of the gaming benefits offered by multi-GPU technology the need for improved power supply solutions increases greatly. The GameXStream features high-quality components to ensure your PC’s vital hardware is supplied with clean, stable and reliable power without compromising effectiveness. Kept ultra-cool with a large 120mm fan, the GameXStream remains virtually silent and supremely cool even at peak loads. The highly efficient GameXStream core is sheltered in a standard dimension chassis, resulting in a smaller footprint and more legroom for system-cooling modifications. GameXStream PSUs provide Active PFC to effectively regulate input voltage to deliver superior operation in a wider range of environments and countries with varying voltages. Second to no other gaming PSU, the GameXStream’s unprecedented quality and performance is the ultimate solution for serious gamers.

ProXStream 1000w

The Multi-GPU Ready ProXStream 1000 Watt power supply is designed specifically for the most demanding computing environments of PC enthusiasts, high-end system builders, and die-hard gamers. With today’s top-of-the-line graphics cards consuming large amounts of energy, the ProXStream supplies stable and reliable power to quad-GPU platforms, as well as all your systems vital components. The new OCZ ProXStream 1000W PSU utilizes a powerful, server-class core and merges it with an unparalleled compact form factor to accommodate virtually all computer cases, a requisite for today's enthusiasts and system-builders. The most powerful and compact PSU comes backed with an industry-leading warranty, and OCZ offers an exclusive 3 year PowerSwap warranty program for unsurpassed peace of mind.

It would seem OCZ is targeting the exact same audience with both power supplies with the only real difference being the ProXStream is billed as being built with a server class core. This would seem kosher as most recent 3Y builds use a stacked PCB design with a single 80mm fan. Even that difference though seems like a very thin dividing line and leaves the product placement of these two units a bit confusing to the end user.

Moving on, let’s see what we have to look forward to when we purchase the OCZ GameXStream and ProXStream power supplies in terms of documentation, accessories, cable count, rail layout, output characteristics, and general build quality. First, we will look at the GameXStream 1010w.