ModXStream Pro is a power supply series from OCZ featuring a modular cabling system and a very attractive price tag, at this moment featuring 500 W, 600 W and 700 W models, with the manufacturer promising that these units can deliver their labeled wattage at 40º C. We’ve already reviewed the 600 W version and were quite impressed by its performance. Let’s see if the 500 W model is also a good pick.

This power supply is manufactured by Highpower.

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Figure 1: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500 W power supply.

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Figure 2: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500 W power supply.

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500 W is 6 ¼” (160 mm) deep, using a 135 mm fan on its bottom and featuring active PFC circuit, of course.

The modular cabling system present on the 500 W model has six connectors, two red for the video card cables and four black for the SATA and peripheral power cables. The main motherboard cable, one ATX12V cable and one EPS12V cable are permanently attached to the power supply. They all have a nylon protection that comes from inside the unit. All cables use 18 AWG wires, which is the minimum recommended, except the +3.3 V (orange) wires from the main motherboard cable, which are thicker (16 AWG). This is exactly the same configuration used on the 600 W model. The cables included are:

• Main motherboard cable with a 20/24-pin connector, 17 ¾” (45 cm) long (permanently attached to the power supply).
• One cable with one ATX12V connector, 18 1/8” (46 cm) long (permanently attached to the power supply).
• One cable with one EPS12V connector, 18 1/8” (46 cm) long (permanently attached to the power supply).
• One cable with one six-pin connector for video cards, 18 ½” (47 cm) long (modular cabling system).
• One cable with one six/eight-pin connector for video cards, 18 ½” (47 cm) long (modular cabling system).
• Two cables with three SATA power connectors each, 18 1/8” (46 cm) to the first connector, 5 7/8” (15 cm) between connectors (modular cabling system).
• Two cables with two standard peripheral power connectors and one floppy disk drive power connector each, 18 1/8” (46 cm) to the first connector, 5 7/8” (15 cm) between connectors.

This configuration is identical to the one used on the 600 W model and is very satisfactory for a 500 W product.

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Figure 3: Cables.

Now let’s take an in-depth look inside this power supply.