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