OCZ EliteXStream 800W PSU

Comparative Efficiency

In comparison to other PSUs we've reviewed recently, the OCZ is above average in terms of efficiency at 230V, and it's particularly near the top of the tables for the 75 percent and 3.3V/5V 100 percent tests. A direct competitor would be the BFG ES Series that was also 800W, but it is significantly more expensive. With respect to BFG, it's also consistently more efficient but only by the smallest margins above 50 percent load.

The EliteXStream is more efficient than the Cooler Master Silent Pro 700W and the Silver Power 850W PSU, and far more so than the Gigabyte Odin GT 800W we reviewed last year. Against our previous favourite, the Corsair TX750W, the two dance around a bit: the TX750W is far more efficient at 50 percent load, but the EliteXStream is a few percent more at 75 percent, then both are about the same at 100 percent again.

Conclusions

At £97 it's quite an expensive purchase considering the Corsair TX750W PSU is under £80, the Silver Power 850W we reviewed last week was just £72 and PC Power & Cooling's Silencer 750W can be had for just £85 if you shop around. That's not to say at £97 it's bad value, because the BFG ES Series is now £130 and other 625W or 650W models from Enermax and Be Quiet are equally as expensive but lower wattage, albeit modular in design.

We feel the TX750W is arguably slightly louder as it approaches full load, but the deal sealer for us is the superior cable provision on the Corsair - 4+4-pin EPS 12V connectors, thicker and higher quality braiding and 90 degree SATA connectors. Both the OCZ and Corsair are still limited to just a pair of cables with Molex and SATA connectors though, limiting choice, but we do prefer the funky red 6+2-pin PCI-Express connectors on the OCZ.

Addendum 7th October 2008: OCZ has just confirmed with us that its PowerSwap service and 5 year warranty is available globally - this means you can receive a completely new replacement PSU, instead of sending yours back first and waiting to get it repaired or replaced then returned at a later date. In our opinion this is a great service, and for those in the States it should work out great but the lack of UK RMA centre means you'll likely have to negotiate this with the etailer you bought it from.

Final Thoughts

Sniffing around there's not much in the 800W range we'd buy to be honest - we know the OCZ is certainly quiet, has excellent voltages and a belly of quality PC Power innards which we know does tick quite a few boxes of our readers. Our personal choice would still be the TX750W still - we prefer its choice and quality of cables and the rugged external design is a little different, but the OCZ EliteXStream 800W is not that far behind. Basically, if you really want a very quiet high wattage PSU with sleek black looks and the cable arrangement suits your build, then the OCZ EliteXStream 800W is a good buy.

• Efficiency/Voltages
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• 9/10

• Noise/Heat
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• 9/10

• Features
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• 7/10

• Value
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• 7/10

• Overall
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• 8/10