Krohling
08-23-2007, 11:13 AM
After being disappointed with an OCZ ModXStream 780W, I'll replace it for another PSU.
Unfortunately I discovered the "bad" about ModXStream after I bought it:
- High +12V, out of specs
- Mediocre +5V = 4,89V
- Reviews showing mediocre voltage regulation, ripple out of specs.
The two options I have:
GameXStream 700W (http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_gamexstream_power_supply-nvidia_sli_ready_)
3-year warranty, FSP Epsilon based, might also have high +12V almost out of specs, ripple issue observed by jonnyGURU.
Seventeam ST-750EAJ (http://www.seventeam.com.tw/front/detail.asp?lang=eng&ID=130)
10-month warranty, server based PSU, [H]Enthusiast (http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTMxMiw0LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==) tests showed efficiency from ~76-79% @120VAC, however with PFC of .98-.99 and it might also have better efficiency at 230VAC.
jonnyGURU tests on higher wattage units of the same series of Seventeam ST-750EAJ showed ripple within specs, and great performance (ST-1000E-AD = Silverstone Olympia OP1000).
Seventeam ST-750EAJ is OEM of "Ultra X-Pro 750" and "MGE XG Duro 900"
ST-750EAJ figures as "Tier 1", and GameXStream as "Tier 2", but some people say it should be "Tier 3"
So, Seventeam looks the obvious choice.
Things holding me against Seventeam:
Bad reputation in Brazil, and the belief (which is partially truth) that cheaper PSUs are bad, and Seventeam is cheaper than any other branded PSU sold in Brazil. Of course, its not cheaper than the real cheap and horrible PSUs.
ST 10-month warranty against OCZ 3-year warranty, however I don't know if the known issues of GameXStream (FSP Epsilon) will cause any damage or unfortunate results.
ST-750EAJ is cooled by 2x 80mm fans, making it not one of the most modern and silent PSUs. OCZ has one single big fan, and runs cool (at least the 780W does)
Based on all of this...
Would the Seventeam be too much hotter, and louder?
I can't do anything about the warranty, but 3-year would be sweet, but I don't know what problems (if any) the OCZ unit could cause.
This is what I know about the bad reputation and about Seventeam being cheaper:
Bad reputation: most users look for ST entry-level PSUs and use them in overclocked machines. So, after some thime there were a high number of defective units, specially of the ATX 2.0 series, particularly ST-420BKV units. I still didn't see any bad reports about ST-550PAG, and they have high sales of this model, still not the perfect choice for overclocking, however its used in overclocked machines. My retailer said the number of ST-750EAJ units that needed RMA was "0" (zero), of 50 that were sold.
I own a ST-420BKV, never gave me any problems. The first I bought suddenly stopped working after almost one year for no apparent reason. It was replaced, and the second works perfectly. I have another ST-300BKV working fine in another PC for more than 2 years.
Explanation about Seventeam being cheaper: Seventeam is usually OEM of other "branded" PSUs, they usually don't sell directly. To Brazil they make larger sales. This doesn't happen with other and more expensive brands like OCZ, Corsair, Enermax, they don't have their representatives and offices in Brazil. Seventeam sells directly to representatives in a bit larger quantity, making it also cheaper.
If you could also enlighten me, or if I said anything that doesn't make any sense, please tell me. Thank you.
Unfortunately I discovered the "bad" about ModXStream after I bought it:
- High +12V, out of specs
- Mediocre +5V = 4,89V
- Reviews showing mediocre voltage regulation, ripple out of specs.
The two options I have:
GameXStream 700W (http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_gamexstream_power_supply-nvidia_sli_ready_)
3-year warranty, FSP Epsilon based, might also have high +12V almost out of specs, ripple issue observed by jonnyGURU.
Seventeam ST-750EAJ (http://www.seventeam.com.tw/front/detail.asp?lang=eng&ID=130)
10-month warranty, server based PSU, [H]Enthusiast (http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTMxMiw0LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==) tests showed efficiency from ~76-79% @120VAC, however with PFC of .98-.99 and it might also have better efficiency at 230VAC.
jonnyGURU tests on higher wattage units of the same series of Seventeam ST-750EAJ showed ripple within specs, and great performance (ST-1000E-AD = Silverstone Olympia OP1000).
Seventeam ST-750EAJ is OEM of "Ultra X-Pro 750" and "MGE XG Duro 900"
ST-750EAJ figures as "Tier 1", and GameXStream as "Tier 2", but some people say it should be "Tier 3"
So, Seventeam looks the obvious choice.
Things holding me against Seventeam:
Bad reputation in Brazil, and the belief (which is partially truth) that cheaper PSUs are bad, and Seventeam is cheaper than any other branded PSU sold in Brazil. Of course, its not cheaper than the real cheap and horrible PSUs.
ST 10-month warranty against OCZ 3-year warranty, however I don't know if the known issues of GameXStream (FSP Epsilon) will cause any damage or unfortunate results.
ST-750EAJ is cooled by 2x 80mm fans, making it not one of the most modern and silent PSUs. OCZ has one single big fan, and runs cool (at least the 780W does)
Based on all of this...
Would the Seventeam be too much hotter, and louder?
I can't do anything about the warranty, but 3-year would be sweet, but I don't know what problems (if any) the OCZ unit could cause.
This is what I know about the bad reputation and about Seventeam being cheaper:
Bad reputation: most users look for ST entry-level PSUs and use them in overclocked machines. So, after some thime there were a high number of defective units, specially of the ATX 2.0 series, particularly ST-420BKV units. I still didn't see any bad reports about ST-550PAG, and they have high sales of this model, still not the perfect choice for overclocking, however its used in overclocked machines. My retailer said the number of ST-750EAJ units that needed RMA was "0" (zero), of 50 that were sold.
I own a ST-420BKV, never gave me any problems. The first I bought suddenly stopped working after almost one year for no apparent reason. It was replaced, and the second works perfectly. I have another ST-300BKV working fine in another PC for more than 2 years.
Explanation about Seventeam being cheaper: Seventeam is usually OEM of other "branded" PSUs, they usually don't sell directly. To Brazil they make larger sales. This doesn't happen with other and more expensive brands like OCZ, Corsair, Enermax, they don't have their representatives and offices in Brazil. Seventeam sells directly to representatives in a bit larger quantity, making it also cheaper.
If you could also enlighten me, or if I said anything that doesn't make any sense, please tell me. Thank you.