Reviews - OCZ ZS 550W
Sample Provided by: OCZ Technology (By jonny on Thu, Jul-21-2011)

Page 4 - Scoring and summary

Final scoring is the sum of the score in four categories, each with a different weight in the final score: performance, functionality, build quality and value.

Performance (40% of the score) - Voltage regulation was quite good. Crossloading had no effect on the unit. Ripple was well suppressed, although getting a little high on the +12V at full load. Transient testing passed, though there was a little blip in the rise-time, it was still well within spec. Efficiency was decent and seemed to hit the 80 Plus Bronze requirements that OCZ promises. For those who are looking for a super quiet power supply, this might not be a candidate. So over all, I'm giving this unit a 9 for performance.

Functionality (20% of the score) - This unit isn't modular, but it is compact and all of the cables are nicely sleeved to at least the first connector. There are two PCIe power connectors, but its a shame that they're not both capable of 8-pin for the newer, higher power graphics cards. Functionality score is 9.

Build Quality (20% of the score) - Soldering was not perfect, but very good without any glaring mistakes outside of the one crooked capacitor on the secondary side. The use of all Japanese capacitors in an over all good design means this unit gets a 8.5 for build quality.

Value (20% of the score) - At a $79.99 MSRP, this unit is way more expensive than a lot of similar 550W power supplies, which is surprising since the ZS line is supposed to be OCZ's new "value" product line-up. Right now there is a $20 mail in rebate on this unit, which makes its bottom line price of $59.99 extremely reasonable and very competitive, even with other non-modular units which tend to have a less expensive hard price to start with. Unfortunately, mail in rebates are temporary (unless OCZ wants to break the record for most perpetual MIR's) and I never consider a rebate in the mail as cash in hand. So for value, I'm giving the OCZ ZS 550W an 8.

Performance

9

Functionality

9

Build Quality

8.5

Value

8

Total Score

9

...barely

Over all, the OCZ ZS series 550W power supply is a very good power supply, albeit a basic power supply. The actual score of this unit came out to 8.7, which easily gets rounded up to 9 since the reason it didn't get a higher score is because of the "value" grade. One of two things could have made this power supply a sure fire "jonnyGURU Recommended" power supply without any doubts or any rounding up of scores: If the unit was modular at the $79.99 price point or if the hard price was $10 to $20 cheaper than it is. Like I said, there is a $20 MIR on this unit right now, so if you do end up scoring this power supply for a mere $59.99, you've done fine!

The good:

  • Good voltage regulation
  • All Japanese capacitors
  • Fairly decent over all build quality
  • At least it's 80 Plus Bronze

The bad:

  • Nothing really bad to say about this one

The mediocre:

  • A little on the pricey side without the fat, $20 mail in rebate
  • Is only 80 Plus Bronze
  • Isn't modular
  • Fan is kind of loud
  • No floppy power connector


Discuss the OCZ ZS 550W in our forums here.

 

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