Conclusion

When we first opened the box of the OCZ EliteXStream 800W, we were honestly not blown away by anything upon that first fleeting glance. It looked like any number of black-painted, 120mm fan-totting power supplies that have passed through our hands within the last six months. And then we saw the cable lengths and instantly fell in love. Even though cable lengths aren’t the first thing we look for in a power supply, they are a major deciding factor for many people; especially those who have cases with bottom mounted power supplies. While the cable lengths were definitely a welcome surprise, they can be brushed aside if the performance of a power supply is lacking. Luckily, the EliteXStream showed us again and again that it could put out some phenomenal numbers when it came to being pushed by some extremely power hungry components. Its efficiency numbers were very good, its voltage regulation was above reproach and ripple suppression was among the best we have tested. What more is there to ask for in a power supply?

We may rave about certain aspects about the EliteXStream but there are some unfortunate slip-ups here which we have berated other power supplies for in the past. As we have seen, the sleeving job on the cables can only be described as a bit lazy with sleeving on the SATA and Molex cables stopping at the first connector. The wires are then left to tumble free while displaying their multi-colored glory all over an otherwise clean build. Other than this, the only thing which bothered us a bit was the fact that there was no plastic grommet around the area where the cables enter the housing of the EliteXStream. This shouldn’t cause many long-term issues since the sleeving itself is tightly bound at certain intervals with zip-ties.

Indeed, the OCZ EliteXStream has many endearing qualities about it but none more so than its price. With this unit retailing for under $170 here in Canada, OCZ has just set a new benchmark for affordability in the high-end power supply market. There are plenty of us who love the prestige (*cough* large e-peen *cough*) that comes with having an ultra-expensive power supply, but this unit has proven great performance doesn’t have to carry with it great cost.

So with solid performance, a 5-year warranty, ultra long cables, and quiet operation all backed up with an absolutely stunning price, the OCZ EliteXStream 800W gets our Dam Good Value Award.


Pros:

- Price
- Cable length
- Great overall performance
- 5-year warranty
- Quiet operation at all loads

Cons:

- Some cables partially sleeved
- Higher than normal power consumption when computer is turned off

Thanks to OCZ for sending us this power supply