OCZ's ModXStream Pro 500W
New, modular hotness

OCZ's power supply credentials were well-established among enthusiasts even before the company purchased highly-regarded PC Power & Cooling. Since that acquisition, PC Power & Cooling DNA has slipped into OCZ's own power supply lineup. That doesn't appear to be the case with the new ModXStream Pro, though. PC Power & Cooling has long eschewed modular cables and is a big proponent of using a single 12V rail, but the ModXStream is a modular design that splits 12V power between a pair of voltage lines.

ModXStream Pro models are available between 400 and 700W, with the 500W model we have in house today ringing in at around $80 online. That's a reasonable price considering the ModXStream's output rating, modular design, three-year warranty.

The ModXStream certainly looks the part of an enthusiast PSU, and OCZ scores points for bumping the unit's bottom-mounted fan up to 140 mm. This larger fan should generate more airflow while making less noise than an equivalent 120 mm unit, and we'll soon see how that pans out in the real world.

Of course, a modular design is the ModXStream's real claim to fame. The ability to remove unneeded cables can go a long way toward tidying up a PC's internals and can even improve internal airflow in the process.

OCZ sheaths all the cables from end to end and provides a couple of PCI Express power connectors. Only one of those connectors has an 8-pin plug, but the PSU still carries SLI certification.

The ModXStream provides consistent DC voltages all the way up to full load. As we've seen with other PSUs, the ModXStream doesn't nail its target voltages exactly, but it easily comes close enough.

The ModXStream's average AC ripple content hangs around 10 millivolts, which low and consistent across all our load levels.

OCZ says the ModXStream Pro meets the requirements for 80 Plus certification, but at full load, we found our test unit to be only 79.3% efficient. Of course, our test methods are likely different than those used by the 80 Plus certification body. We'll take a look at the comparative efficiency of the PSUs in this round-up in a moment.