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ModStream or NeoPower?

M

mavalpha

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Jan 3, 2005
Messages
10,448
Budget allows for either, I like the modular and huge fan they both have. Neither one has a complete set of features, so I have to choose which one is more future-ready:
ModStream 520W
Not ATX12V v2.x compatible
Only 28A for the single 12V, to the Antec's 33A/split

NeoPower 480W
No -5V rail
Doesn't this one only have a three year warranty to OCZ's semi-standard five?

The rig is a high-draw A64/754 (2.8GHz, VCore ~1.7V) running an above-spec 6800, and using a DDR Booster to power some BH-5. The -5V rail is not required for the DDR Booster, but feeds the LCD for direct display of the RAM's voltage.

*I already did a search, all of the similar threads are based on wattage, reliability, etc. I'm thinking along the lines of which is a higher priority: convenience of Booster's display, or future-readiness with split 12V line. I've also read that the NeoPower's 12V is consistently on the low side- should this be a cause of concern?
 
Modstream.

Good strong power supply. The 28A on the 12V is more than you need and the PSU can sustain that without incident for an hour (very unrealistic.)

It also costs a little less and looks a hell of a lot better, IMHO.
 
jonnyGURU said:
The 28A on the 12V is more than you need and the PSU can sustain that without incident for an hour (very unrealistic.)
Click to expand...
johnnyGURU:
Yours is one of the opinions I have come to trust and respect, so I just wanted to make sure before I jumped to buy- you do mean the Antec, right?

Everywhere I've seen, the ModStream is $5-10 cheaper. Also, the 28A figure is associated with OCZ's modular unit, Antec's is 33A. You're not worried about undervolting my Athlon64?
 
I know you didn't specifically ask me but here are some comments that may or may not help.

I would vote for the Neopower also. It is ATX12v2.0 compliant, I have seen people run 6800GT SLI with them, and it has Active PFC. However, you are correct it has a 3 year warranty.
 
mavalpha said:
johnnyGURU:
Yours is one of the opinions I have come to trust and respect, so I just wanted to make sure before I jumped to buy- you do mean the Antec, right?

Everywhere I've seen, the ModStream is $5-10 cheaper. Also, the 28A figure is associated with OCZ's modular unit, Antec's is 33A. You're not worried about undervolting my Athlon64?
Click to expand...

No.. I meant Modstream. Sorry.

The Modstream costs less. The Modstream looks better. The ModStream is just as quiet. And although the Modstream "only" has 28A, an A64 doesn't draw that much power. Couple that with a pair of 6800's and you're only porking about 20A tops.

The only reason the Antec has 33A is because of the split rails. It's going to be more than enough power even if you run dual 6800's because one card would run off of 12V2 via the PCI-e connector and the second would run off of 12V1 using a drive molex with an adapter.

Nothing wrong with the Antec. It's just my opinion that you'd be fine with the Modstream. But you know what they say about opinions. ;)

EDIT: I fixed my post. I've got an Antec NeoPower up on the table now, so I've got NeoPower on the brain. :p
 
my vote goes to the neopower. reason being is as you can see from my sig I use one.. I'm completely happy with it. main reasons I like it is that it's quiet and it's modular.
 
Actually.. I just looked them both up at SPCR....

Apparently, he found the ModStream is actually quieter > 150W load. ;)
 
So, two-and-a-half votes for the Antec? I guess I'll just overclock semi-blindly. :p The BIOS blue-screen is about to become my best friend...

As I said above, my biggest concern overall was that I heard Antec's PSUs underpower the 12V line a bit (11.6-11.9ish, IIRC), but it seems like none of you has had any issues with this. Thanks again!

Afterthought:
Before I step on anyone's toes, I should say that all of your opinions were helpful.
johnnyGURU, I considered what you listed as the other perks of the ModStream. My case has no windows, so the looks are 100% meaningless- I would've gotten a neon purple PSU if I thought it did the best job. Also, $5-10 is nothing I'd miss too much, since it is the difference in shipping from one place to the next. As I said before, my sole concern was split-rail vs. LCD display power. The noise is a non-issue, as long as it isn't a thunderous boom over the rest of my system. Your answers did help, just not in the direct respect I was expecting.
 
I vote for the Modstream....i got the 480 and love it. The looks are sweet. It's extremely quiet and when i change out my ram i get a 500mhz overclock and my rails are pretty stable. And for some reason., once i added it my games run better and my system just seems to run better overall.
My only problem is the atx power is cable is stiff as hell and very short. I had to work it a little to fit on my board cuz of my case.
I havent used the neopower yet...but its on my list of stuff to play with. Im an antec guy, got 4 of their psu's and reccomend their cases.
 
Yeah, I'm stuck too now. I'm liking the ModStream more and more, but those stiff cables are making me nervous, and I'm afraid of those lost 60 12V watts coming back and biting me in the ass in a year or so. I especially like that the OCZ never drops below 12.2V in the SPCR test, so that overvolting is quite a bit better than undervolting. The Antec drops to 11.8, and I saw one fellow in the forums drop to 11.5ish with SLI.

Dammit, I'm probably gonna end up with the OCZ, and then kick my own ass for it come time for me to upgrade again. That deal is sweet, I just wish it were for the 520W version.
 
mavalpha said:
Yeah, I'm stuck too now. I'm liking the ModStream more and more, but those stiff cables are making me nervous,
Click to expand...

Heat gun.....or hair dryer.

and I'm afraid of those lost 60 12V watts coming back and biting me in the ass in a year or so. I especially like that the OCZ never drops below 12.2V in the SPCR test, so that overvolting is quite a bit better than undervolting. The Antec drops to 11.8, and I saw one fellow in the forums drop to 11.5ish with SLI.

Dammit, I'm probably gonna end up with the OCZ, and then kick my own ass for it come time for me to upgrade again. That deal is sweet, I just wish it were for the 520W version.
Click to expand...

Maybe more so the ATX12v2.0 spec than anything....
 
See, I'm not completely sold on dual rails yet. That's my biggest hang up with ATX12V2.01.

I can see WHY it's a good idea. I can appreciate it. But I'm not going to choose a power supply because it's the "newest revision" when there's quality units out there with proven solid single 12V rails (like a Turbo-Cool, for a prime example.)

It's a non-issue to me right now, that's all.
 
man im a dumbass...it is a 450...lol...i need a break from these things....well...springfest is in like a month...so im gonna take the wife and party hardy
 
I'm having the same problem deciding. My rig is a 3200+ winnie s939 on a neo2 tho. Still not sure weather I want to go with the modstream or the neopower. I've been debating for a while now. Hrm such a tough choice hehe...
 
Retne said:
I'm having the same problem deciding. My rig is a 3200+ winnie s939 on a neo2 tho. Still not sure weather I want to go with the modstream or the neopower. I've been debating for a while now. Hrm such a tough choice hehe...
Click to expand...
I recommend the ModStream, I should have mine later this week. Between the advice on this forum and the guys at DFI-Street, there wasn't much debating left. The OCZ seems like a more robust solution, so that it more than makes up for the slightly lower 12V rating; the only supply that came more highly recommended is the PowerStream, and you have to trade the "bling factor" to use that one (J/K :p). Its only downside is the lack of split rails, and I think jG is right that this may be premature.
 
Well part of the reason I'm leaning twords antec on this one is the powerstream seems to have a problem w/ the msi neo2 plat mobo. Which tends to shy me away from the company seeing as it's the board I have. I'll look into it a bit more and see if there is anything to worry about compatability-wise with the modstream. If there isn't anything to worry about I will prolly go with the 520. No matter what I'm purchasing a PSU either thursday or friday. :D
 
Retne said:
Well part of the reason I'm leaning twords antec on this one is the powerstream seems to have a problem w/ the msi neo2 plat mobo.
Click to expand...

Do tell.

How DOES a Neo2 know it has a Powerstream plugged into it? ;) (By the way, I've got two Neo2's running and I REALLY am curious about what you're talking about.)
 
...very, VERY faint bell going off in the back of my mind, only heard of a few cases, and haven't heard any of them recently. Something about the OCZ's OVP being somehow incompatible with the MSI power circuitry. Don't remember anything else... Sorry, but hope this helps!
 
Hmm.. I Googled it and couldn't find any "known issues."

If anything, I just found a bunch of people with that board and that PSU and NO problems. Obviously, there's more variables involved than THIS motherboard and THAT power supply if people are complaining about the combo. :(
 
Interesting. I think I might have a Neo2 I can try an OCZ out on, but if this is one of those < 5% incidents, I probably won't prove anything. :(
 
ModStream or NeoPower? Guys this is a No Brainer.....

The cheapest you are going to fine a NEO POWER right now(froogle, price watch, price grabber) is $100 + shipping

PICK UP A $59(AFTER REBATE) ModStream (WITH THREE YEAR WARRANTY) AND BE DONE WITH IT?

Even if you only use it for a year and have to upgrade it...Be happy for that year of service, sell it and find another deal. You have LOST NOTHING!
 
Where are you finding the ModStream at $59.00 AR? I was actually, after looking at newegg, compelled to go with the ModStream. Seeing as it would give me a little extra cash to work with this week. :D
 
Hello everyone, I just joined this forum and I wanted to add my thoughts to this discussion.

I bought a modsteam 520 a little over a month ago. Last sunday went to turn my computer on and it died on me, and I don't simply mean my computer didn't boot up. There was a bright flash a bang and that is all she wrote. Thank goodness that none of my components, cpu, MB, etc., were not damaged.

I have always used antecs and they had never let me down. I bought this PSU because of the good ratings it received and its cool looks. Now maybe I just got a bad unit, all manufactures make a few lemons, but I have lost my confidence in OCZ PSU's. I got a new one because I had purchased the extended warranty, but its still in the box because I went and bought a neopower.

For those that are going to buy a modstream anyway, be aware of the following two thing that I didn' like, besides the fact that is exploded :) :

1) Very stiff cables.
2) Very short 4-pin 12v cable, may not reach motherboard on certain cases.
 
my modstream 450 just got here today from monarch

No complaints yet
and the modular cabling is nice
 
achilles1 said:
Hello everyone, I just joined this forum and I wanted to add my thoughts to this discussion.

I bought a modsteam 520 a little over a month ago. Last sunday went to turn my computer on and it died on me, and I don't simply mean my computer didn't boot up. There was a bright flash a bang and that is all she wrote. Thank goodness that none of my components, cpu, MB, etc., were not damaged.

I have always used antecs and they had never let me down. I bought this PSU because of the good ratings it received and its cool looks. Now maybe I just got a bad unit, all manufactures make a few lemons, but I have lost my confidence in OCZ PSU's. I got a new one because I had purchased the extended warranty, but its still in the box because I went and bought a neopower.

For those that are going to buy a modstream anyway, be aware of the following two thing that I didn' like, besides the fact that is exploded :) :

1) Very stiff cables.
2) Very short 4-pin 12v cable, may not reach motherboard on certain cases.
Click to expand...


Those two points are pretty well known. However, point one is easily addressed with a heat gun or hair dryer.

Welcome aboard. You can probably unload the modstream in the fs/ft forum pretty easily.
 
Well ModStream just lost today. They bumped thier price up on the egg to a mere $10 difference between the neopower. I also looked at the rebate at monarch and if I was going to pick up a ModStream I would get the 520 not the 450 :/. So it looks like neopower won me out because if the price difference is only $10 I'm going with the one that future proofs the most. By the way thanks for all the info in this thread guys :)
 
Personally, I like the Neopower. I am using it right now and it is powering an overclocked 3.2Ghz at 4Ghz (1.56V), a BFG 6800gt oc at 435/1150 (1.65V), 2 DVD-RW drives, Audigy 2zs sound card, and Exos Koolance water cooling system. 3 Panaflo fans, 2 lighting kits. No problem and it is quiet too. I had a crappy X-Connect 500W modular PS and it died trying to run that system (giving me problems before it died). I too have always used Antec and so far, after 4 or 5 PS from them, have never had a problem.
 
magnuspah said:
... a BFG 6800gt oc at 435/1150 (1.65V) ...
Click to expand...
Wow
:eek:
That's quite a volt mod there... are you sure of that? I hope you've got some water cooling on that thing!

I'm having this same debate myself... Antec or ModStream, (or all out an PCP&C)... can someone comment on the noise factor? I like things to be quiet, I like things to be cool and I don't have water... so which one wins the noise award??
 
There was an issue with the Powerstreams and the protection circuitry early on. Most of the complaints seemed to revolve around it not powering up with the Asus A7N8X. IIRC this was taken care of pretty quick.

I would have to recommend the Neo as far as the original topic goes. All ATX2.0 vs. ATX1.3 issues aside, the Neo has independant voltage regulation, while the OCZ does not.

FWIW, the warranty on the Modstreams is 3 years last I checked.
 
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