A Closer Look (Cont’d)

The OCZ GameXstream 700W power supply has a full assortment of cables and connectors.  All of the cables are hard-wired into the PSU chassis. The wiring harnesses measure approximately 22′ long to the first connector and all of the cables are covered with black plastic mesh sleeving.  The peripheral drive connectors use the EZ grip style connectors.

 

OCZ GameXstream 700W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 29

 

 

OCZ GameXstream 700W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 30

 

  • Main power connector (20/4-pin)
  • (2) ATX 12V (4-pin) => (1) EPS 12V (8-pin)
  • (2) PCI Express (6-pin)
  • (6) Peripheral Optical/HDD (4-pin)
  • (2) Peripheral FDD (4-pin)
  • (6) Serial ATA (15-pin)

Here are a few pictures showing the layout and components inside the OCZ GameXstream 700W power supply.  OCZ has typically used Topower to manufacture power supplies for them in the past but they are now using Fortron-Source (FSP) to build the GameXstream series.  FSP has an excellent reputation in the power supply industry so this should be a good move.  FWIW, the Zalman ZM600-HP power supply we reviewed a couple weeks ago is very similar to the OCZ GameXstream 700W PSU. It is also made by FSP and uses virtually all of the same parts on the circuit boards.  The main differences are the heatsinks (Zalman uses a heatpipe to help cool the DC side) and the 120mm cooling fan.

 

OCZ GameXstream 700W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 31

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Just like the ZM600-HP, the GameXstream 700W PSU uses two AC bridge rectifiers instead of one, three power MOSFET transistors in the Active PFC stage instead of two, and eight Schottky rectifiers in the final DC stage (four for the +12V, two for the +5V, and two for the +3.3V output).  Using more components in parallel reduces the load on individual parts, which allows them to run cooler and more efficient.

 

OCZ GameXstream 700W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 32

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The majority of the capacitors used in the GameXstream PSU are rated for 105ºC except for the large CapXon part used in the Active PFC circuit on the AC stage that is rated for 85ºC.  The AC section typically runs a little cooler than the DC side so this is quite acceptable.

 

OCZ GameXstream 700W Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 33

(click to enlarge)

 

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