Box Front
The first thing that will hit you about the packaging is that the box is much larger than we are used to seeing, even for a high-end graphics card. The front of the box is dominated by a fighter jet the aptly named F35 'Lightning'. Green lightning is bouncing of the fighter which frames pretty much all of the packaging, back to front. A small run down of the cards features is to be found in the upper right of the box along with the product title in large metallic font emblazoned across the bottom.
Box Rear
Flipping the box over we see the same picture as found on the front but a greater run down of the product specifications and minimum system requirements. Of particular interest is that MSI recommend a 700w or greater power supply unit with a 12v current rating of 42A.
Box lid
Flipping the box back over I find there is a lid to the box held fast with Velcro. I must say I do like it when manufacturers packaging their component up well. Many times have I purchased expensive equipment that was presented in a package that quite frankly could have been designed by my six year old daughter. I am happy to report MSI have pulled out all of the stops on this one.
Box Lid Top
Inside the lid is a very good feature list with brief but adequate explanations of what the main features of this particular graphics card are including 16 Phase PWM design, Proadlizer and a wealth of 'military Class II components.
Box Window
The inner/top of the main box has a plastic window affording a glimpse of the graphics card stored within. This window is framed by yet more spiel, this time concentrating on the features of the new Twin Frozr III thermal cooler.
Inner Foam
Sliding out the stiff, Styrofoam tray which houses the graphics card on test today I was pleased to see that the card was held tight and enclosed in an anti-static bag. For further protection a rigid plastic sheet covers the whole of the inner packaging.
Accessories
The contents are held in two areas, some in the cut outs of the foam which frames the main unit with the remaining manuals and driver disks hidden in a compartment underneath the Styrofoam GPU holder.
The included accessories are as follows: Two extended SLI bridges, 2x6pin to 8pin PCIe power connectors, a DVI to VGA adaptor, 3 multi-meter cables and the usual quick user guide, driver/utility. To round the accessory list off, MSI have also included an installation guide both for the product and some of the features of the DVD such as MSI's Live Update.
Box Perspective
The overall package is presented very well throughout. I would have perhaps preferred a more sturdy outer box as this is easily torn if not carefull but nevertheless, the package and contents should arrive to you in perfect condition, such is the quality of the packing by MSI.
