Extreme gamers and hardware enthusiasts are demanding more power from their machines. Quad-core CPUs and multi-GPU setups make for extreme gaming (and extreme heat), and require a solid power supply that can deliver near-nuclear energy for today’s demanding number-crunchers.
There are several 1000 Watt power supply units available today to meet the growing need for this extreme hardware. As Uncle Ben said, “with great power comes great responsibility”, so you should only trust your expensive components to quality name-brand power supplies. One of the best values you can get today comes from OCZ’s ProXstream 1000W power supply, which is one of the most inexpensive Kilowatt units you can buy today, but has the quality innards that let you sleep well at night.
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.
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.
Specifications
- 1000W Configuration
- Dimensions: 150 x 140 x 86mm
- 3 year warranty backed by OCZ’s exclusive PowerSwap™ replacement program. No more endless return-for-repair loops!
- Internal 80mm fan
- 4 Channel 12V Output provides stable electric power to computer components
- 4 Channel PCI-E connectors
- Dual CPU support: provides 8-pin 12V dual CPU support with stable voltage
- 20+4 pin: compatible with all motherboards available on the market
- 4pin & 8pin: accords with the requirements of CPU in ATX or EPS 12V V2.91 systems
- Active PFC: enhances utilization of energy
- Over Voltage and current protection: A complete protection circuit is implemented, protecting every component in your system.
- Environmental protection specifications: accords with WEEE & RoHS by Europe
- 115Vac 60Hz / 230Vac 50Hz
- +3.3V(28A), +5V(30A), +12V1(20A), +12V2(20A), +12V3(20A), +12V4(20A)
The ProXstream’s exterior case has a nice mirror-like nickel finish, a nice professional touch over other power supply cages. Although the finish looks great, it is prone to smudges and scratches. Vent holes have been stamped on the entire front side (where the cables exit the PSU), which allows air from the case to pass over the electronic components and out through the exhaust fan.
The ProXStream has four 12-volt rails, and each can handle up to 20 amps. OCZ has even implemented short-circuit protection protection, which trips the PSU if a resistance change of 0.01 ohms is detected. Over voltage circuitry also protects the power supply if any of the rails reach a certain peak (4.0V on the 3.3 rail, 6.2V on the 5V rail, or 14.6V on any of the 12V rails). Since there is no power switch, you must unplug the power cord and plug back in to reset the unit.
Hot air generated from the unit is exhausted through a single 80mm fan, which is a throwback to older power supply design and seems like an odd choice for a powerful unit. In order for a smaller fan to move the air necessary to cool such a beast, it must spin rather fast, resulting in higher noise levels. This design choice may have been made due to the large components inside the cage (while still maintaining a standard form factor), as a single 120mm fan would require more clearance above the electronics.
The Cables
The ProXstream’s cables are 18 inches long, which is more than adequate for even full tower PC cases. All of the cables are sheathed in black mesh (the PCI-express leads are red). A black rubber ring protects the cables at the joint where the cables meet the PSU housing.
This unit is intended to deliver quality power to devices, rather than supporting a multitude of peripherals. There are not as many connections as you think a 1000W power supply would support. The wire used is 18 gauge and is UL listed. Listed below are all the connections available from the eleven individual cables:
- 1x standard 24-pin main motherboard cable
- 1x 4-pin 12 volt motherboard cable (with in-line 8-pin adapter)
- 4x PCI-Express cables
- 6x standard 4-pin Molex plugs (3 plugs on 2 cables)
- 6x SATA connector (3 plugs on 2 cables)
- 1x Floppy connector
Once the screws are removed and the top cover pulled off, we can see that the powerful PSU is almost completely covered with a heavy heatsink and copper plate. The layout of this PSU is different than many other standard power units, as there is a secondary unit stacked on top of the primary on a seperate PCB. A single Protechnic Electric fan (rated at 0.66A at 12v) cools this stacked setup.
The primary PCB has a pair of large Rubycon cpacitors, rated at 100uF 450v 105c, which are excellent quality and are used by some of the highest quality power supplies available. These capacitors will certainly stand up to the heat challenge that this unit will deliver.
The secondary PCB consists mostly of OST capacitors, which are good, but not near the quality of the Rubycon parts on the primary board. Also on this board is a wiring harness, which is bound and sheathed before it exits the power supply cage.
The build quality of this power supply is excellent, overall. The selection of high-quality components is rather rare for a consumer part. The heatsinks are secured very well, and the thick copper plates will help dissipate heat more effectively.
To test a power supply this powerful, we ran several tests at typical load levels with our load tester: one of a typical computer today (250 watts), one for a power user running SLI and a watercooling or thermoelectric cooler (500W), and an extreme user that has a multi-GPU setup, watercooling, peltiers and a quad-core processor.
OCZ ProXstream 1000W Load Performance
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All rails were stable even at full load
The OCZ ProXstream 1000W is rock-solid stable across every load level. Even under extreme stress, the power supply’s rails fluctuate only slightly, at less than 2% variance. The efficiency of this unit is greater than 80% at most load levels, and dips down slightly to 78% efficiency at extreme loads. The exhaust temperature reached 142 degrees at extreme load, indicating that even the fast 80mm fan is not producing enough airflow to cool the components. If you actually need this much power, using a single powerful PSU like this is still more efficient than using multiple power supplies. Multiple power supplies would produce more heat overall, (even two 80-plus certified PSUs would have 40% loss), but each unit would be less stressed.
Even when the unit wasn’t stressed the exhaust fan was rather loud, much louder than other typical power supply units today. Because of this, the proXstream would work best for the extreme gamer, where the noise is lost in the LAN party. This power supply is also an ideal unit for a powerful server that runs multiple multi-core processors.
The OCZ ProXstream 1000W Power Supply is definately one powerful beast. The internal components and build are high quality, and there is great attention to detail. The color-coding of PCI-e cables are a nice touch, and is helpful for those running SLI configurations.
There is a growing trend of modular power supplies today, and many enthusiasts are attracted to them. Modular power supplies allow for easier installation and cleaner cable management without cluttering your computers innards. This power supply does not use a modular design, which would otherwise make this a near-perfect product. Also, this PSU uses an 80mm exhaust fan, where other units havea quieter 120mm cooling fan.
There is still alot to like about the ProXstream 1000W PSU. For one, it is one of the most inexpensive power supplies in its class, making it a great value. OCZ has concentrated on functionality over form, and has delivered one of the most powerful and rock-solid power supplies available today. Given OCZ’s quality and the amount of power overhead available, this could be the last power supply you need for many years.
1 Comment
does it has enough power to handle dual gtx 260 in sli