Packaging

The PSU is quite large despite its small capacity, so it needs a large package too. The design of the box is pretty nice: The front has a close-up of the unit's LED fan in action, emitting a red color. Next to it and on the left are the 80 Plus Bronze and three year warranty badges. OCZ even mentions its compatibility with Intel's new CPUs, the fully modular design, and the 550 W capacity at the top. We really wonder how they tested for Haswell compatibility since our testing shows that this PSU isn't Haswell ready, and we hate to see misleading information on a product's package.


You will find a paragraph that contains some information on the person that lend his name to the PSU line on this side.


OCZ was kind enough to include cable length and connector count on the package. However, we will verify this information with our trusty measuring tape.


A series of badges and a label containing the unit's model number can be found on the top.


You will find the unit's technical specifications and three paragraphs elaborating on its most noteworthy features on the rear of the box. The power specifications table according to which we will program our loads is near the bottom-left corner. OCZ again refers to this unit's Haswell compatibility here, though it isn't Haswell ready according to our tests.

Contents

The contents of the box are neatly arranged into compartments, but we would like to see more protection for the unit, like packing foam. As it is, its top side is nearly left unprotected—a sheet of packing foam could offer much better protection.


It may be budget centric, but is still equipped with a nylon pouch you can store its modular cables in. The rest of the bundle includes an AC power cord, a set of fixing bolts, the user's manual, and a piece of paper containing some useful RMA and support information.

Exterior

In hand, the PSU feels kind of cheap because of its very low weight and not-so-high quality finish. We obviously know that weight isn't a scientific way to evaluate a PSU's value or performance, but this one is so light that it makes you wonder whether there are any internal components at all. The useful on/off switch is right next to the AC receptacle at the front, along with the classic honeycomb exhaust grill. Large decals occupy most of the real estate on the sides, and offer a nice look. The modular panel in the rear has ten sockets in total, with the black sockets for the 24-pin ATX cable and the red ones for peripheral, PCIe, and EPS cables. Finally, the specifications label is installed on the bottom.


The PSU has pretty large dimensions for its capacity, which makes it look like a higher capacity unit at first; that is, until you get your hands on it and notice its very low weight. The LED fan with its transparent blades may look nice, but will most likely not allow us to take any speed measurements because it won't reflect the laser beam of our tachometer.


The ATX cable is sleeved and consists of colored wires, while all the other cables except for the FDD adapter are ribboned and stealth. We don't understand this combination; the ATX cable should at least be stealth to go with the rest.


The flat modular cables are of acceptable quality and will make the cable management process easier, which will improve airflow inside the case.


Not sleeved, OCZ most likely thought nobody will use the FDD adapter, but we think that it should at least use stealthed and black wires to make it a little more appealing.