OCZ ModStream

If you’ve ever popped the top off your computer and peered inside, you’ve noticed the incredible amount of cables within it. You’ve got data cables going from your optical and hard disk drives, and all the power cables for the drives, video cards, and any case fans you may have within your system. It can become a tangled mess if not kept in check, this excessive cable clutter restricts airflow, potentially causing the components within your system to run hotter than they should be. Over time, this can even lead to the premature death of one of these components. Smaller Serial ATA data cables have helped cut down on the cable clutter, but there are still multiple unused power cables coming from your power supply unit that must be dealt with.

OCZ ModStream

Connect the power cords here, blue for BTX

But what if you could customize the number of power cables running within your system based on your needs? That’s where OCZ’s ModStream line of PSU’s comes in.

With ModStream, you can install the power cables you need right now, saving the others for later use. Say for instance, you want to build a very basic system with a DVD-ROM drive, hard drive, and a graphics card like the RADEON 9600 XT, which doesn’t require an external power connection. With this setup, you’d only need to plug in one power cable (with dual connectors) into the ModStream PSU. The rest can be saved until you’re ready to upgrade to that GeForce 6800 Ultra you’ve been drooling over, or add a DVD burner or second hard drive. OCZ includes the following cables with the ModStream:

Two peripheral 4-pin connectors (2 of these type of cables are included)

One peripheral 4-pin and one floppy disk drive connector (1 of these type of cables are included)

One peripheral 4-pin connector (1 of these type of cables are included)

One PCI Express 6-pin connector for hooking up to a PCI-E graphics card (1 of these type of cables are included)

Two Serial ATA connections (1 of these type of cables are included)

All of the EZMod power cables feature copper-shielded power leads which are also specially sheathed, this delivers cleaner power. OCZ then adds clear plastic tubing on top of this. For added flair, the cables glow in a light shade of blue when used with UV lighting.

Note the grille on the back of the PSU

Power cables provided

The power supply unit itself features very solid construction, the power rails aren’t adjustable like they are on OCZ’s PowerStream line, but with up to 28 amps on the 12V rail for the 520-watt model, still quite capable of powering the latest processors and video cards. The PSU sports a distinctive mirror finish, and even features blue LEDs that light up the inside of the PSU when active. For cooling, one 120mm fan is used. OCZ refers to this as their PowerWhisper technology; one ultra quiet fan is used as an intake fan, and is located on the underside of the PSU. The fan sucks up the hot air within your case and expels it out the back of the PSU, which consists of one large grille. For compatibility with future motherboards, OCZ even adds BTX support to the ModStream’s list of features, and finally, as an added touch the PSU also ships with extra zip ties and Velcro strips for bundling everything together.

OCZ provides two ModStream SKUs as of right now, a 450-watt PSU, and a 520-watt model. Currently, ModStream PSUs sell for about $20 less than similar OCZ PowerStream units on Newegg.