OCZ EliteXStream 1000w ATX PSU

 

One area that PCP&C certainly haven’t manage to influenced OCZ on is the packaging. While most PCP&C units come in a plain cardboard box, OCZ have gone for a similar design to that of their StealthXstream range with a dark blue and black theme combined with orange and white lettering.

 

 

 

The top of the box keeps things fairly simple with only a picture of the unit and some basic specifications. The bold white 1000w lettering entices potential buyers to investigate further by flipping the packaging on any of its sides to reveal a more detailed features list and technical specification chart. On opening the box we are presented with the EliteXStream unit securely positioned between two cardboard backed styrofoam inserts and all cables and accessories neatly tucked at the sides.

 

Overall, the packaging is fairly basic – but certainly very functional, and should be more than capable of keeping the unit safe during shipping.

 

 

Moving on to the actual contents of the box, the EliteXStream comes with all of the standard accessories including a power cord, ATX screws and an operators manual. Much more interesting than all of that is the “OCZ Technology Certified Test Report” printed on two sheets of A4 paper. This is the same test report included on all of PCP&C’s units, and is actually produced by their $100,000 Chroma 8000 ATE load testers.

 

By hand testing every EliteXStream before being shipped from the factory, OCZ are providing buyers with an unmatched level of reassurance that their latest purchase will operate as expected when plugged into their PC’s. Great job OCZ!

 

 

 

With a matte black powder coated finish and top-mounted 120mm fan, the EliteXStreme isn’t quite as glamorous as some of the other 1kw+ units on the market at the moment. However, when you take into consideration that the unit will most likely be hidden in an un-windowed part of the average PC case, paying out extra just to have PSU with a mirrored finish or illuminated features seems like a waste of money.

 

 

 

Measuring in at just 86x150x160 (HxWxD) the EliteXStreme is amazingly compact and should fit into almost any PC case. A large portion of this space saving is down to the top-mounted 120mm fan which allows the unit to be 25-30mm shorter than an 80mm fan cooled PSU. This particular layout does come at the cost of decreased headroom inside the case for taller components such as capacitors, but hopefully OCZ will have chosen suitable (shorter) alternatives for the job.

 

At the back of the unit is a honeycomb mesh grill along with a sideways mounted power socket, switch and LED. Personally I’d like to see manufacturers going for larger, more industrial power switches on their high-end units as I’ve often found that this style of switch is more prone to arcing and general failure.