It has been some time since we have had an Ultra product here at OCIA.net. In fact, it was two years ago when we reviewed their then-new line of X3 power supplies, the 600, 800 and 1000 watt models. All of these units performed admirably, and with their large, single +12v rail design and modular FlexForce cables, these power supplies scored high marks among our testers, including yours truly.

Not much has changed in power supply requirements since then, other than the obvious, an ever-increasing demand for more wattage! Today it is quite common for a high-end video card to draw more than 200 watts at load and in multi-GPU configurations, or when using multiple, multi-GPU cards, the power needs can quickly overwhelm lesser supplies. Even those 1Kw units, which back then might have been considered the mother of all PSUs, can begin to look a bit skimpish when you start talking tri- or quad- SLI or Crossfire scenarios.



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. Ultra sent over two units for review today, the 600W and the 1050W.

Join me as I take a closer look at the Ultra X4 Power Supplies.