A Closer Look:

    OCZ packages their new GameXStream power supplies in an shrink-wrapped rectangle box with lots of specs and artwork around the outside. Inside the box there is the power supply, power cord, manual and a bag of black screws to secure the unit to your computer case.

   Getting the GameXStream out of the box, we see that, although this power supply is great on paper, it really looks rather mundane. It's immediately evident that it's NOT a modular power supply (which is all the rage now).

   We can see the 120mm clear bladed cooling fan with OCZ logo underneath a black fan grill. One side of the power supply is littered with specs and stickers showing us that this unit has passed thru a bunch of inspection and testing before it gets to the consumers hands. We see an "Active PFC" sticker, which will prove very important during the testing phase. We also notice there is quad +12v rails proving truckloads of juice.

   At the rear we see the popular honeycomb mesh to allow for easy airflow inside the unit. Also, I'd like to mention that although the blue power switch looks like it's lighted, it is not :(

The Cables:

   Let's unwrap the spaghetti ball and see what kind of cabling OCZ provides with this GameXStream 700w unit.

   The first thing I noticed with the big wad of cables coming out the back of the GameXStream was they were actually Velcro wrapped and not the usual twist ties. That's a small but nice touch from OCZ.

   I also noticed right away that all the cable ends are very well labeled in white text. Upon further inspection of the cables I noticed the 20/24 pin 12v ATX connection was not quite what I was used to. Typically the extra 4-pin would snap tight to the 20-pin, or it would fold off the 20-pin.

   However this particular design is very loosely connected. So loose in fact that I had more trouble than usual connecting all 24-pins to my motherboard. I had to arrange the two pieces perfectly, squeeze tight and insert. If I missed the 24-pin motherboard connection by even a little, the two pieces would twist and I'd have to rearrange them and start over. I think OCZ should've just stuck with the tried and true 20/24 ATX connection we've all come to know and love.

   Here's a nice clear shot of the cables taken from the OCZ website.