OCZ ModXStream 780w PSU review

The pictures below don't do justice to the flat black of the unit.  This non reflective flat black paint over the EMI isolating casing helps the unit not only blend in better but keep any electro magnetic interference created by the PSU to an absolute minimum.  Cooling is addressed by a lower speed (2500 RPM) 120mm fan that pulls air through the ModXStream and pushes it out of the integrated grilling on the unit's rear.

Along the back side of OCZ's ModXStream are six modular connection points.  Each port is designed for a specific line type and won't allow a drunken end user to plug a line in the wrong place.  Speaking of the lines, OCZ continues to do a fantastic job with the clean and subdued black line braiding and black shrink wrap on the ends.  On the Molex ends be sure to take notice of the EZ-Grip connectors.

Let's take a quick inventory of the cables you get with the ModXStream.  The main ATX and AUX cable as well as a 6 pin PCI-E line are not modular.  This explains why the number of modular plug points superficially looks minimal.  Each line is identified and measures out as listed below.

• (1) Native 20+4 pin ATX - 20"

• (1) Native 4+4 pin AUX - 20"

• (1) Native 6 pin PCI-E - 20"

• (2) Modular SATA rails with three SATA connections each - 30" each

• (2) Modular Molex lines with two standard Molex + one FDD connector - 31" each

• (1) Modular 4+4 PCI-E - 19.5"

• (1) Modular 8 pin CPU AUX - 19.5" (8 pin housing, two of eight pins empty aka 6 pin PCI-E)

The new Radeon HD 2900 XT is a power hungry monster with it having a six and an eight pin power connector for power.  Two six pin connectors will do but if you want to overclock that card, the 8 pin power plug is a must.  The 4+4 PCI-E cable would cover one new Radeon in a Crossfire rig and I thought the second 8 pin line on the ModXStream would handle the second.  To my surprise, two of the eight pin points were blank, effectively making the 8 pin line a 6 pin PCI-E power line.  The rub is a little worse though, the 8 pin plug will not fit a standard PCI-E (6 pin) port on a VGA card.

Below is a shot of the 20+4 ATX connector and the 4+4 AUX connector that allows the OCZ ModXStream to be used with older mainboards. 

Installing our OCZ ModXStream was as simple as installing a modular power supply is.  Let me clarify.  Installing a modular PSU is easier because you attach the cables you need after you screw the unit in place.  No fishing of lines to worry about.  As you already know, I'm a cable neat freak and anything to reduce cable clutter is okay in my book.  Modular power supplies are the best way known to keep confusing crazy cabling to a minimum.  As we have seen on other OCZ power supplies, the 120mm intake fan gives off a nice even blue glow that creates a niece effect on windowed cases.