Packaging

The box is pretty small but its graphics are interesting. The front has a close-up photo of the unit and a series of badges on the front's bottom point out the capacity, the 120 mm fan, the APFC, and the unit's efficiency threshold of 87% with 230 VAC power input. Also, the 80 Plus badge and a small sign making mention of the unit's quiet operation can be found in the top-right corner.


You will find a multilingual description of the PSU's technical characteristics on this side.


The power input / output specifications are depicted on this side, with a pictorial list of all available connectors and contact information for Antec RMA Support in three different continents.


The only interesting part on this side is a scheme that depicts the dimensions of the PSU; its depth is only 140 mm, making sure every ATX chassis can house the unit.


On the back are feature descriptions in multiple languages. The top has several badges, including one for EuP compatibility to signify that the unit consumes less than 0.5 W in standby mode. All PSUs sold in the EU have to comply with the ErP Lot 6 directive and the VP550F does.

Contents

Once we opened the box, we found a pile of unsleeved cables. Definitely not the best view, but fully sleeved cables apparently raise the cost significantly and don't really matter in a download / office station. As you can see in the last two photos above, the PSU is protected by environmentally friendly wrapping, as is the norm with Antec products. While such protection may not be as good as packing foam, it is much less dangerous for the environment. The only thing that spoils this image is the plastic bag. They should use a paper bag instead, like those we use for groceries!


The bundle includes only the basics: an AC power cord, a set of screws, two cable ties, a user's manual, and a warranty leaflet.

Exterior

Both paint job and finish are nothing exceptional, but they are still of acceptable quality, especially for an entry-level product like this one. The front makes use of Antec's classic honeycomb exhaust grille, and the on / off switch, not having fallen prey to the low production cost, is thankfully still where it should be.


One of the two sides hosts the power specifications label while the other is left vacant with only a small Antec logo embossed onto the bottom-right.



All the native cables at the back leave the casing through a hole that, strangely enough, doesn't feature a grommet to protect them, but the hole is large enough to keep the cables away from the its edges.


The PSU has small dimensions and simply looking at it will give its budget status away. Also, the lot of unsleeved cables looks rather weird now-a-days. Many users would probably not have a problem paying a couple of bucks more for fully sleeved ones.


Only the main ATX cable is sleeved. All the others are left naked. Thankfully, some zip ties are used on the latter to keep them in shape.