Power Supplies

Category >> Power Supplies

OCZ Z Series 650 Watt Power Supply 11-03-2009

Today I will be looking at the highest efficiency rated power supply that I have received yet, the OCZ Z Series 650 watt power supply. With efficiency rated at over 88%, this power supply is 80Plus Silver rated. It sells for a price that won’t break the bank and is SLI certified. Read on to check out the OCZ Z Series 650!

Ultra X4 600W & 1050W Power Supply 10-19-2009

It was two years ago when we reviewed Ultra's then-new line of X3 power supplies, the 600, 800 and 1000 watt models. Not much has changed in power supply requirements since then, other than the obvious, an ever-increasing demand for more wattage! To accommodate the need for greater amounts of power, meet revamped cabling requirements and target the latest specifications for efficiency, Ultra has updated their X-series of power supplies and is releasing a new lineup of fourth generation models beginning with 400, 500, 600, 750, 850, 1050 and 1200 capacities. Dubbed the - you guessed it - X4, these latest power supply offerings from Ultra bear a striking similarity to their previous X3 generation PSUs.

Thermaltake Toughpower XT 750w 10-13-2009

As many experienced PC enthusiasts will tell you, the power supply is the lifeblood of your computer. If the CPU is the brain of your computer, then the PSU is definitely the heart. The quality and dependability of your entire computer is only as good as the unit that powers it. Today we take a close look at the Thermaltake Toughpower XT 750w PSU to see if it is fit for the task.

BFG Tech EX Series 1000 Watt Power Supply 07-03-2009

Here at OCIA.net, we’re no strangers to power supplies. However, I’ve personally only had the chance to look at one BFG PSU before, the impressive “performance series” LS-680: a non-modular unit aimed towards the middle-of-the-line crowd. Today, we’re going to have a look at a higher end unit, the EX-1000, “enthusiast series” modular power supply weighing in at 1KW of power.

OCZ Fatal1ty 550W Power Supply 06-22-2009

The market for consumer electronics and computer hardware has been generally immune to this sponsorship phenomenon — that is, with one exception. There are a host of products out there stamped with the name of a certain Johnathan ‘Fatal1ty’ Wendel. Fatal1ty, if you’re not familiar, has on the order of 30 “notably accomplished” gaming tournament placements on Wikipedia, including five 1st place finishes for Quake III Arena. Whether Mr. Wendel’s gaming prowess gives him any sort of above-average knack for choosing quality computer hardware I’ll leave for you to decide today as we look at OCZ’s Fatl1ty 550W Profess1onal Series PSU.

BFG Tech EX Series 1200 Watt Power Supply 06-16-2009

So in this day of smaller PSUs, the 1kW+ power supply is still a legitimate choice for many enthusiasts and gamers. Today I will be looking at BFG Tech’s latest and largest power supply, the EX Series 1200 watt modular PSU. Yeah, I know, BFG is a video card and motherboard manufacturer, but they have been building power supplies for some time. The EX 1200 has BFG’s Frequency Conversion technology, which allows for 80Plus efficiency, even at loads as small as 10% (most power supplies aren’t very efficient at very low loads). This technology makes the EX significantly different from nearly every power supply on the market.

Thermaltake Litepower 450W Power Supply 05-06-2009

The Thermaltake Litepower 450W is rated for a very respectable 85% efficiency, which places it in the 80 Plus Bronze classification. Another feature of the Litepower to be noted is the impressive five year warranty offered by Thermaltake. The Litepower 450W has some features more often associated with a high quality power supply, such as the large 120mm fan, open mesh rear vent and a nice amount of heft to the unit. The UL identification number E190414, indicates that this particular unit is manufactured by FSP Group.

BFG Tech MX 550W Modular Power Supply 02-05-2009

Last week I took the BFG Tech MX 680w Power Supply out for a spin, which earned our Seal of Approval based on several different criteria. The unit was rock solid stable, silent, modular and would look great in most any system. But for the user on a budget or those not into hardcore gaming, the 680 watts offered is simply overkill. If you fall into this category, have no fear, as BFG Tech has something right up your alley, the MX 550w PSU. Virtually identical to its 680w bigger brother, the 550 unit we have on the test bench today is about $25 cheaper, money that could be put towards other hardware or simply stashed away for a rainy day. Will the smaller MX 550w be able to follow in the footsteps of the beefier 680 model?

OCZ Fatal1ty 700w Power Supply 01-29-2009

Being a "celebrity" of sorts does tend to paint a target on you, and Wendel is no different. Instead of praising him as a role model and successful entrepreneur, critics have harped that Fatal1ty branded products have steep price tags and that you are essentially paying extra for the "Fatal1ty" name. A quick check at a popular online retailer reveals that most Fatal1ty branded gear is priced according to its competition. Others tend to forget that the majority of Fatal1ty products are top quality; he doesn't just go around and endorse every product thrown at him. It is with this mindset that we present the OCZ Fatal1ty Series 700w Power Supply for review.

BFG Tech MX 680W Modular Power Supply 01-20-2009

BFG Technologies is a proverbial newcomer to the power supply market, although their claim to fame began in 2001 with their highly successful line of video cards. Since then, they have expanded to include motherboards, power supplies and even full systems. Today we will be taking a look at one of their modular power supplies, the BFG Tech MX 680w Modular PSU. The MX Series represents the modular version of the LS series which we took at look at last year.

Cooler Master Silent Pro M 600W PSU 12-29-2008

With so many power supplies available these days, it is definitely hard to find the right one. From picking the right features, to balancing performance with price, it can seem like they all blend together. Today, we have for review Cooler Master’s latest bid into the PSU market, the Silent Pro M 600W, which hopes to stand out among the vast crowd of power supplies currently available.

Tuniq Potency 750w Power Supply 12-09-2008

Last month we reviewed the Tuniq Potency 550W power supply, which earned our OCIA.net Seal of Approval for its robust performance and incredible price. Take that same quality product, double the number of +12V rails, increase power capacity by 50% and add a bunch more connectors, all while keeping the size a mere 2cm larger, and you'll end up with the Tuniq Potency 750W.

Sunbeamtech Tuniq Potency 550 Watt Power Supply 11-03-2008

Today I will be looking at the smallest of the latest line of power supplies by Sunbeamtech, the Tuniq Potency 550 watt. With 80Plus and SLI certification, and a pair of +12V rails at 25A each, this little guy should be able to power my energy sipping Phenom rig. Will it make the trip? Read on to see!

FSP Group Power-Mod 700 Watt Power Supply 10-20-2008

For some time, FSP Group has been marketing retail PC power supplies in America under the name Fortron Source, and more recently under their real name, FSP Group. Today I will be looking at one of their latest power supplies, a 700 watt PSU in the new Power-Mod series. It is a modular power supply with SLI certification and over 80% efficiency. Will this power supply impress? Read on to see!

OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Power Supply 10-09-2008

The OCZ ModXStream 600 is a lot of power supply in a relatively small package. Boasting 25A on each of its dual +12v rails, plus an additional 25A each for the +3.3v and +5v, the ModXStream 600 seems at least as capable if not more so than many power supplies with higher wattage ratings.

BFG Tech LS-680 Power Supply 08-24-2008

BFG Tech is one of those companies you expect quality products from, no matter what you’re buying. While most famous for their graphics cards, they make a range of products, including motherboards, accessories, and power supplies. BFG has a few lines of power supplies, from modular to energy efficient, and has recently started advertising their 550W and 680W LS power supplies. A few weeks ago, our very own Zahn had a look at the 550W version and was generally impressed with the quality and performance versus the price. Today, I’m going to have a look at the 680W version to see if it’s true to their slogan, “efficiency and performance meets affordability.”

BFG Tech LS-550 Power Supply 08-05-2008

BFG offers several different models of power supplies, from the value-oriented GS to the modular MX series, all the way up to their top of the line ES-800; they have something for every need and budget. The one I have for review today is the LS-550, which seems to fall somewhere in the middle of their lineup. Despite the relatively smallish power rating, the LS-550 offers quad +12v rails, 6 and 8-pin PCIe and ATX 2.2 version compatibility, all backed up by an impressive 5-year warranty.

NZXT Performance Power 800W PSU 08-04-2008

A company “built on gamers’ dreams,” NZXT has since expanded upon their “Crafted Series” cases, into a line of more modest, yet still stylish, “Classic Series” cases, and even two lines of power supplies. They have, for the most part, enjoyed great success with all of their products, which are known for being high quality despite having a lower than usual cost. Today we have for review the NZXT Performance Power 800W power supply, one whose launch was abnormally silent and hasn’t received much attention.

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 500W 06-22-2008

Most people wouldn't expect a quad-core rig with Crossfire graphics cards to run well on 500W, but the Silencer is a testament to the fact that it can with a high quality power supply. Theoretically, at full load, this rig pulls about 400W, but very few power supplies rated below 600W could handle it. Indeed, on the topic of performance, the Silencer did a fine job, though I would have liked to see a slightly more accurate reading on the 5V line.

Kingwin ABT-1000MA1S Mach 1 1,000W Power Supply 06-06-2008

Kingwin has been around since 1992 and has recently started promoting their high-end Mach 1 power supplies. Last September, we had a chance to review their Mach 1 800W PSU, and today we have for review their Mach 1 1,000W PSU, the ABT-1000MA1S. With six 12V rails, four rated at 20A and two at 35A, a hefty 150mm fan, and a unique modular cabling system, this power supply has a lot of promise.

OCZ EliteXstream OCZ800EXS 800 Watt Power Supply 05-24-2008

Today I will be looking at one of OCZ's newest power supplies, the EliteXStream 800w PSU. This will be the first OCZ power supply I have reviewed here. OCZ is well known for their high-performance system memory and have been in the power supply business for a while as well. Will the EliteXStream 800 live up to the high expectations I have of OCZ products?

SilverStone Decathlon DA700 Power Supply 05-10-2008

SilverStone is a company that needs no introduction. Although they have only been in business since 2003, in that time they have produced some great case designs. In the tradition of the Zeus and Olympia power supplies, with their single, large +12v rail, SilverStone now introduces the next generation of power supply built especially for enthusiasts, the Decathlon.

Tuniq Miniplant 950W PSU 04-26-2008

Tuniq, a subsidiary of Sunbeamtech, really made their name known with their Tuniq Tower CPU air cooler. The Tuniq Tower was recognized as one of the best air coolers on the market for longer than a year. Since then, they have become increasingly popular for their cases, thermal accessories, and most recently, power supplies. One power supply that has been getting a lot of attention lately is the Tuniq Miniplant 950W which we have for review today.

Nesteq ECS 7001 700 Watt Power Supply 04-02-2008

Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to build your own cable? A modular-designed power cable, that allows you to use only the connectors you need, in the order that you need them? Nesteq has answered that call with their ECS series of power supplies. Today we will be looking at the Nesteq ECS 7001, a modular 700 watter that allows you to do just this.

Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1250 Watt Power Supply 03-24-2008

The Real Power Pro 1250 is one of 10 power supplies receiving nVidia's highest SLI rating, for three 8800 Ultras or 8800 GTXs. It also has an 80Plus certification, certified to maintain more than 80% efficiency. Actually, this power supply is rated up to 87% efficiency. What does that mean? A more efficient power supply uses less wall current than a less efficient one, which means less dollars out of your pocket.

Apevia Warlock Power 750 Watt Power Supply 03-10-2008

The case is aluminum, in a very shiny gunmetal color, that Apevia calls titanium. The spec label is on top of the case, and won't be visible when the PSU is installed. I've seen a lot of complaints about the specs label being on the visible side of a PSU, hiding the finish, so those people should be happy with this one.

Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W 03-05-2008

Today I'm taking a closer look at the Cooler Master Real Power Pro 750W, which is a non-modular power supply with a 750W continuous load rating. Like all of the Real Power Pro line, the 750W carries a five year warranty, has an 80-plus efficiency certification and is SLI-ready with dual 6 and 8-pin PCIe configurations.

Thermaltake Toughpower QFan 650w Power Supply 02-09-2008

Thermaltake introduces their newest lineup of power supplies, the Toughpower QFan series. If you haven't guessed, the Q in QFan stands for Quiet, as Thermaltake advertises an ultra-low 17dBA noise rating at up to 50% load. There are two models available, the 650w and a 500w version. Today I'll be taking a closer look at the 650 model.

PC Power & Cooling Silencer Quad 750W 01-21-2008

Despite being named the Silencer Quad, this PSU uses just a single beefy 12V rail, running 60 amps! Seeing specs like those just makes you want to drool. High efficiency, just one silent fan, and single rail design, all of this is amazing… but is it too good to be true? Continue on as we find out.

Sirtec High Power 400w VGA Booster 01-08-2008

You just upgraded your PC, you got the latest motherboard and processor, several gigs of fast memory and a high-end video card so you can play that cool new game that just came out. You put the system together and get your OS loaded, only to see a warning that your video card performance will be degraded because it isn't getting enough power. Doh! You forgot to consider a power supply as part of your upgrade.

Thermaltake Toughpower 850W Power Supply 12-28-2007

Today I’m reviewing the Thermaltake Toughpower 850W Power Supply. Thermaltake is a name often associated with quality in any of their products, from cases and case fans to coolers and power supplies. This particular power supply boasts a variety of features, but at a price: it costs almost $260 at a popular online reseller.

Sigma Shark SP-635 635 Watt Power Supply 12-14-2007

I mean, what is a power supply? A rectangular box with electrical stuff in it and wires coming from it (I do understand what the stuff inside does, but I know that most don’t). The box may be steel or aluminum; painted, plated, or anodized. The wires may be sleeved or not, modular or not. There will be a fan or two, they may have LEDs, or not. I guess that’s why I found it rather refreshing to review the Sigma Shark. No, it isn’t some kind of radical departure from the basic power supply, but it is a little different.

Ultra Power Partner 325 Watt 5 ¼” Power Supply 12-04-2007

The Ultra Power Partner is a 325 watt auxiliary power supply that fits into an optical drive bay. It works in addition to your current PSU, for example, if you have a 500 watt power supply, install the Power Partner, and now you have 825 watts, plenty enough extra juice to power that pair of 8800GTs. Is the Power Partner the answer to your power problems? Read on.

Rosewill Xtreme Series RS850-S-B 850 Watt Power Supply 11-07-2007

There are four PCI-E cables to accommodate a pair of 8800GTXs in SLI. Each cable is marked according to its rail, +12v1 and +12v2. This is quite cool, to ensure that each card will be on its own +12v rail. I personally have not seen a PSU labeled like this, though I’m sure there could be others out there. This is the kind of attention to detail I am talking about.

Ultra X3 800W Power Supply 10-18-2007

Marking the 3rd generation of Ultra's popular X-Connect line of power supplies, the latest X3 series combines all the great features of previous models, such as fully modular design and FlexForce cables, with high power outputs to satisfy the demands of today's multi-core CPU/GPU systems.

Kingwin ABT-800MA1S Mach 1 800 Watt Power Supply 09-12-2007

Kingwin, aka KWI Technology Inc, has been around since 1992, which makes them one of the oldest aftermarket hardware companies in the industry. They started out making CPU coolers and external HDD racks, and now are into liquid cooling, cases, high performance air cooling, power supplies and some pretty innovative storage solutions. They pioneered the use of aluminum in external storage enclosures, which led the way for its use in cases.

Ultra X3 600W Power Supply 09-03-2007

There are a lot of power supplies out there today boasting a variety of features. Between modular power supplies and super silent ones, it can be really hard to find exactly what you need. Ultra Products is trying to make this decision an easy one with their X3 Power Supplies. They really set their eyes on the prize when designing these power supplies, and it shows. The X3’s have all of the hottest features that everyone is looking for these days: a fully modular cable system, a silent 135mm fan, flex-force sleeved cables, and extreme (85%) efficiency. Today we’re going to have a look at the 600W flavor.

Ultra Products X3 1,000w Modular Power Supply 08-14-2007

Today we will be taking a look at a powerful unit from their newest line, named X3. Ultra has taken all of the best features from their previous models and packed them in the X3. On paper, this power supply looks to have everything a hardcore enthusiast could want, and more. But, will it be able to deliver on those promises?

OCZ Technology ModXStream 780w Power Supply 06-14-2007

The back of the unit uses a honeycomb style grill to allow plenty of hot air through. A power connector and on/off switch are also present on the rear of the unit.

OCZ StealthXStream 600w Power Supply 06-06-2007

Perhaps most well known for their various types of memory, they make a variety of hardware, from laser gaming mice to video cards to CPU coolers. Most importantly, at least for the purposes of this review, they make power supplies. OCZ sports many lines of power supplies, including gaming grade and modding friendly lines. On May 25th, OCZ announced their merger with PC Power and Cooling, showing how serious they really are about the power supply industry.

be quiet! 700w Straight Power Power Supply 05-23-2007

The power supply itself is finished in a high gloss gunmetal paint job which looks great. The right side (or left, depending on how you look at it) of the power supply displays the typical specs sticker found on all units. This unit has four 12v rails, each sporting 18A.

Ultra X-Pro & X-Finity 800w Power Supplies 04-16-2007

The X-Finity has the same number of connections so I won't go over that again. But, the cool thing with these cables is that they aren't rounded and sleeved like most you are used to. These cables are designed to lay flat, which means you can easily route them in your case.

NZXT Precise 850w Power Supply 03-22-2007

A power switch is located on the rear of the unit, as well as a switch for the +12v rail which can be set to "split" or "combined". This is the first power supply I have seen that offers such a switch. There has been a lot of talk the past few years with the introduction of multiple 12v rails, and even more as of late with the jump back to single 12v rails.

SilverStone OP1000 Olympia 1000w Power Supply 03-06-2007

First, the OP1000 features a single +12v rail that is rated at 80A (88A peak). What does this mean exactly? Many other high end power supplies feature multiple (usually 2-4) +12v rails which average 20A per rail. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it does mean that you will need to make use of multiple rails, as to not overload a single rail.

OCZ Technology ProXStream 1000w Power Supply 02-16-2007

One of the good things about the ProXStream that sets it apart from other 1kw power supplies is its small footprint. We measured the unit to be 5 1/2" in length. Most other 1kw units (and even some not as powerful) are much longer, which will cause problems with optical drives and in cases that use a top-mounted exhaust fan.

OCZ GameXStream 850w SLI-Ready Power Supply 12-29-2006

It's no secret that today's hardware is demanding more power than ever before. For instance, those interested in running two 8800GTX cards in SLI are looking at a bare minimum of 750 watts in the power supply department. Factor in your processor(s) demands, hard drive(s) and watercooling gear and that 750 watt minimum seems a little less inviting.

Etasis ET-850 850W PSU 12-22-2006

The ET-850 is certified to be SLI Ready by Nvidia, and even features four PCI-Express power leads for graphics cards. It is rated for over 80% efficiency with four independent +12V outputs, and has eight Serial ATA power connectors. With plenty of power and plenty of connections, it sounds like it's ready to take on anything available on the shelf from quad-core CPUs to SLI graphics cards with as many Serial ATA drives as you can fit in most cases.

Spire Rocketeer IV 600W Power Supply 11-28-2006

Voltage specifications are printed on the obligatory side panel sticker. From the listed UL number E130843 we can determine that the Rocketeer IV is made by Topower, a well-known, high-quality power supply manufacturer, who also happens to make power supplies for OCZ. The UL listing will often reveal the true manufacturer of a power supply if it is simply rebranded under another company name.

Apevia Iceberg 680W Light Color Power Supply 11-09-2006

With nearly a 700W rating this PSU looks ready to tackle the toughest of power requirements, and has some stunning good looks to match. There are also some pretty useful features you don't find on many other manufacturers power supplies, namely switchable illumination and see-through bottom, as well as a host of other handy gadgetry to keep your computer power needs well fed and easy to manage.

OCZ Technology EvoStream 600w Modular Power Supply 10-09-2006

It is easily the best looking unit I have seen in person to date. The reflection that the EvoStream gives off is amazing. But, like anything that is shiny, it picks up dirt and especially fingerprints very easily. I was careful in handling the unit during the photo shoot to minimize getting it dirty.

NZXT Precise PRC-650W Power Supply 10-05-2006

NZXT is a Taiwanese company that has built a name for themselves in the enthusiast community as a manufacturer of high-quality, low-cost innovative design computer cases. I recently had the opportunity to review one of these NZXT products, the Apollo mid-tower case, which received our seal of approval for its aesthetics, features and price. So when NZXT followed up with an invitation to check out their Precise 650 power supply my only question was, where do I sign?

Spire SP-600W Rocketeer IV Gaming Power Supply 06-23-2006

The SP-600W Rocketeer IV is being marketed as a "modular cable, SLI-ready, gaming PSU". As of this writing, if you look at the Rocketeer IV at Spire's site, it is advertised as being "darkgrey titanium colored" (this one is definitely black), and the advertised specs are somewhat different (lower) than the ones on this PSU.

SilverStone Zeus ST75ZF 750w Power Supply 06-16-2006

Late last year I had the opportunity to review SilverStone's 600w Strider power supply. The unit held its own very well and didn't even break a sweat, regardless of how far I pushed my hardware. It was clear that SilverStone had a winner on their hands with the 600w Strider, but we all know that you can't sit idle in the computer hardware industry or you will be left in the dust.

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