OCZ GameXStream 700W or Corsair TX650W

[Messerschmitt]

I was looking at the 2 and they both look quite powerfull. The OCZ has 4 rails of 18A it seems and the Corsair one 1 rail of 56A.

Read somewhere 1 rail might be more efficient and better for power distribution.

They both seem to be the same price after rebate.

Wondering which should I invest for the best value, and also looking to keep the PSU for future hardware upgrades as well.

Hope crahak you will read this

Edited December 28, 2008 by Messerschmitt

[CoffeeFiend]

The OCZ is made by FSP. The Corsair is made by Seasonic. Two quality units.

Power on the 12V rail(s) is very similar. Corsair: 52A, OCZ: 50A.

The OCZ is rated at 25°C, whereas the Corsair is rated at 50°C, so not much difference in overall power.

Both are 80plus certified, have nice cables, good protections, clean power, built from good components, etc.

Between the two, it comes down to individual choice, if one prefers one or more 12V rails (neither one is inherently better). Multiple rails is better *if* the power is split properly (which connectors on which rail), IMO. Preference in brand names too arguably (OCZ/FSP or Corsair/Seasonic).

Out of the two, I prefer the Corsair:

-more power connectors (molex/sata) which I very much need

-I'm not real keen on how power is divided (which connectors on which rail) in the OCZ, I couldn't use much of it...

-couple more amps on the 12v rail

-not real sure how much of that 700W you'd get at a "real" operating temperature in the OCZ (and it already has less power on the 12v, and less usable being split)

-the OCZ lacks OPP and OVP protections (no varistor either), which the Corsair has

-the OCZ uses Taiwanese caps (some being rated for 85°C), whereas the Corsair uses all Japanese ones (all rated for 105°C)

-the somewhat misleading "combined power" on the OCZ label (680W isn't just for the 12v rails! it says in small type 50A max elsewhere, so it's 600W) -- I absolutely HATE that stuff

-the fan on the Corsair is quieter

-I like Seasonic a little better

Doesn't mean the OCZ isn't a good unit, it's still better than like 90% of PSUs out there... But the Corsair goes to 11

In your case though, I would basically recommend neither unless the price is quite good. It's just WAY overkill. Unless you plain on upgrading to some SLI setup with two high end cards or something... Your current box would have some overhead left on a good 350W unit. They're both great PSUs though.

Edited December 28, 2008 by crahak

[Messerschmitt]

Thanks for the feedback, I was leaning towords the corsair myself.

Btw, isn't 4 rails * 18A = 72A?

[CoffeeFiend]

Btw, isn't 4 rails * 18A = 72A?

NO!

They just split the available 50A across 4 rails. You can use up to 18A on each rail, but the combined power on all of them must not exceed the total it can handle. If you draw 18A on all of them it will either 1) shutdown (but here it doesn't have OPP, so that might not happen), or 2) fail (the *boom* option).

Their label is also designed to make you think 680W is the combined power for the 12v rails (that would mean 56.66666 A) which makes it look better than it is, until you notice the little "rectangle" also includes the other rails, and the small type that says 50A max... Deceptive and misleading, and I hate that kind of stuff.

And again, the 50A is at 25°C, it's less than that at typical temperatures (transistors derate with higher temps), and there's parts you're just not going to be able to use if it's on connectors you have no use for... For example, I need a lot of power on SATA connectors (12 HDs -- about 24A peak when they all spin for that alone), but I don't have a single PCI-e connector (nor a need for them yet). With split rail configs, the power has to be split according to your usage/needs, or you won't be able to make use of it, at all.

[Messerschmitt]

Then i'm definetly going with the Corsair.

Thanks for the feedback

The 650W with 52A is enough for future upgrades such as possible CF, SLI or state of the art graphic card (single) in 2-3 years, new mobo in that time, etc?

I just don't want to have to buy ANOTHER power supply when I will have to upgrade again. Quite thinking of the 750W with 60A if it will help for the future.

Edited December 29, 2008 by Messerschmitt

[CoffeeFiend]

The 650W with 52A is enough for future upgrades such as possible CF, SLI or state of the art graphic card (single) in 2-3 years, new mobo in that time, etc?

It'll still be overkill in a few years

[Messerschmitt]

You make making decision so much easy