I downsized from a HYTE Y60 snow white case and was able to fit everything in this compact PC case. In the Sama IM01 Pro Compact PC case I successfully fit a Asrock Matx Mobo, Thermaltake Toughpower G3 1200w PSU, Sapphire 7900XT GPU, Four 120mm case fans 3 M.2 NVME drives and 1 Sata SSD all without needing to add the expansion block. Highly recommend this case for anyone trying to build a compact PC.
Is it possible to use the expansion block as storage for things like flash drives and usb cables? Is there access to the interior in an easy way (i know i'd have to add some kind of floor to the bottom of the expansion block to make this work)
Great review, I'm building one right now and used this video for cable management ideas. One point is that an ATX PSU can allow longer graphics cards but you need to turn the PSU so the power cable comes out the top. This allows you to move the PSU up further.
Every time I see a new ITX case I just think why can’t they add screw holes so you can swap the feet (without changing brackets, just the feet) to the side panel and run it horizontally, like in an entertainment center? I am loving the trend lately with moving power supplies to different spots
Recently Be Quiet have realized this is doable and added this feature to their new and very much not ITX Light Base 600 and 900. From ITX stuff, Fractal Design Ridge can be placed horizontally (feet is attached), bo the the internals are then cooking.
PSA: In Europe this is sold under the brand Inter-Tech brand as "IM-02 Expander". There are also extra expansion units to available. Someone could go nuts with this case and make it very wide. I plan to do a horizontal conversion of this case, since i personally prefer horizontal cases. Over the past two and a half decades i have garnered a collection of horizontal cases and did some conversions and this case looks very easy to convert. Just move the feet from the bottom to the side. Four siple drills and thanks to the mesh it's easy to do.
My new favorite case for mATX office case swaps. Quality and modular design is amazing for under $50.00 to my door for the metal black full mesh version. 120mm included fan is trash, hardware kit is good, power cord is strange and enough room to hide it inside the case and add your own regular power cord , atx power supply fits well and you can mount it sucking air from the front of case or from inside the case. Great for stealth build. I used the expansion chamber on the bottom, can fill it up with fans and storage if need be. All panels are tool less and snap together pretty good. Quality is impressive for the price. Real vented non break away pci slot covers and impressive pci slot cover door setup.
Such a flexible design! I expect that more options for mounting an SFX power supply can be achieved by using an ATX-SFX adapter plate,especially an off-center one like Silverstone's.
Very true, there were so many configurations for this I hadn’t considered that. I could have used the adapter plate included with my Corsair Sfx and probably wouldn’t have needed the extension cables.
The IM01 (non-pro) is sold by half a dozen different brands globally, including by Lian Li in Microcenter stores. Presumably the IM01 Pro will have a similar story. I built 2 machines for family/friends in the IM01. It is a fanstastic budget SFF-ish solution. Not just because the case is cheap, but because it lets you have a small machine while using standard mATX motherboards and ATX PSUs. Avoiding the SFF Tax.
Bought the regular ip201 and loved it, had a 450w fractal sfx psu, a 4th gen i7 4790 4core8thread chip, a machinist itx mobo, 1tb kingspec m.2 on mobo and wifi card, ran wifi out right under 80 or 90mm rear fan, where vertical gpu brackets was, I had 2 top exhaust, 2 bottom intake 120mm fans, and a 3fan gigabyte rtx 2060 6gig, a 2tb kingspec ssd in the front and a 1tb regular laptop sized hdd, 2x 140mm thermsltake ring fans over the side panel too for intake, had a low profile cpu cooler on it, ran great, just sold it to a friend, he loved it, after building in it I wanna downsize my main rig and possibly use a sama im 01 case of some sort..awsome lil case and very versatile!!
I like the case. I just wish they made the gap between the right panel larger so they could allow the power pass through to bolt to the case instead of hanging out.
When you said that it had a 20g front USB-C and was only $65, I about did a spit-take all over my monitor and keyboard! I can think of one competitor where you have to buy the front USB-C connector separate from the case (Fractal Pop Mini Air) and it costs $25 more on Newegg, without the front USB-C!. It does have the hidden 5.25" drive bay, but how many people need that in the era of everything being downloaded?
As with most things, over time the manufacturing costs lower. Now many low budget enclosures include the high speed USB-c port. To be fair to fractal, they were still building those cables by hand when the Pop Air was released.
@@ElevatedSystems Yeah, I was more pointing to how crazy the price is on the SAMA, when compared to some others on the market. I wasn't intending to cast shade on Fractal if that's the way it came across. I use a Fractal case (Define 7 Mini) for my main system.
It looks like Sama is using the same strategy as ThermalRight, "volume' or "selling a lot", keeping expenses low without reducing quality. 😊 @@RichWhiteUM
More people are turning towards physical media due to their increasing dissatisfaction with digital distribution, so a 5.25" drive bay isn't out of the question.
@@BLSoldier00 There's other things you can do with the 5.25" bay, as well. For example, if your case doesn't have a front usb-c port but it has a 5.25" bay, you can add an internal hub in the bay and have 1 or sometimes 2 front usb-c ports. I think the Pop Air's bay is in a silly location, as they put it inside a drawer.
wow what a case.. love watching your review! just subscribed to this channel! it covers all the details I wanted to know from a case review, especially the comparison for gpu mounting with different types of psu. i was hopeful to see where the storage could be mounted if I had no space to spare at the front, but i guess i'm asking too much haha. the case though.. I was taken aback every minute, as it has all the features i wanted. I was eyeing the AP201, but it's a bit longer for my liking. can't find any stock here in Indonesia, but definitely will wait for this one until it's available. or at least until a better and available case appears, as unlikely as it sounds.
Wish this review had come 3 months ago! I moved my hackintosh to an AP-201 and it's a little too big for my liking. if it comes down to it, I'll be picking one of these up for sure.
With the perforated front panel, it's really weird they didn't have the option for the power supply to mount to the front like the AP201 (front intake, top exhaust). Would be perfect otherwise. With an sfx psu, it should provide enough clearance for longer gpus even with the cables.
This kind of design (perforated panels) may have drawbacks : the dust will be more visible, stuck in the micro-holes of the panels, it will require regular clean of the panels by the user. Be careful also with water, rain, as this design will not prevent liquid to enter via the micro-holes (accident with a cup of coffee next to the PC).
Two things, first you need clearance up top for the power cord, second while you can fit a longer card under a shorter PSU there are still the power cables that interfere.
I wonder if the connector of the extension would fit inside the rear panel. Personally, I would run the main power cable in through the cut-out and try to hide away the length of the extension.
@@ElevatedSystems no sir, Im not asking. I built in it with a MSI B760M project zero (back connect). It is compatible with Matx and Y-ITX back connect mobos. 🤭
@@elteacher0223 Damn, something else I missed and it was staring me right in the face. 🤦♂️ I’ll have to highlight some more things when I do my PC build project with the case.
another case like this, but does look a hell of a lot better is the jonsbo d31, there are mesh versions and even versions with a screen, the d31 has better cable management capabilities, small then ap201 and can even mount a screen at the front while looking very clean and minimalistic
You have tried a couple of mATX cases the last year or so. Among others Jonsbo D31, Sama IM01 Pro, Asus AP201, Jonsbo D31. Which one is your current favorite? Any upcoming plans for noise-normalized temperature comparisons (or other way around)?
Can you mount a fan anywhere along the slots? I would want to put one shooting down at the cooling tower intake. Other than not being able to cram a fan on the front somehwere, looks like a cool case
Nice video, thanks! Do you (or does anyone) know if it is possible to install a 3.5" HDD sideways against the front, and another 3.5" HDD right next to it in the flat position....and also be able to mount 2 fans in the bottom? I have seen that done with the Asus Prime AP201 -- which as you said is similar. I was thinking of using the AP201 -- but I am liking the way this Sama has the USB ports close to the bottom.
I'm looking for the most compact and light pc case for my full ATX motherboard and minimal extra cost for traveling, is anyone have suggestion? It is really hard to find.
I just bought the European version of this case, the Inter-Tech IM-2 Expander. It's the exact same design except for the length which is 412mm. This allows the case to house a longer GPU whilst using an ATX PSU and to have the power cable mounted to the case instead of hanging like on the SAMA. It's still more compact than the AP201 !
How is it? I am thinking of buying it. Can it fit 360 radiator like the sama? Here it goes for like 100EUR. So not really budget option but if it is good then worth it I guess. Is the Airflow the same?
Where do you live? I’m in the US and I can’t seem to find a way to order one except on eBay which is like $200 with shipping 😱. Please reply to my username so I get a notification.
I'm using this case with an ITX board. Installed the Arctic Freezer III 280 with the top had. Had to opt for arctic slim fans because the radiator is much thicker. I like it. I move from case to case too much. From the meshroom s to d and not back to the sama 01 pro
I have seen some report that an AIO means mounting the PSU lower, and thus prohibits GPU's longer than 280 or 300, depending on if using an ATX psu or a smaller one. What's your set up for this?
Is this somehow compatible with Corsair's RMX shift psu's? I really want a small form factor case with my MATX build. It's just so hard to find a small case that'll fit with RMX shift psu's.
yep, my concern though is since the connectors are on the side instead in the front, I am worried that somehow the shroud will cover the side connectors.@@Boss69292
Not sure if the whole sideways ports thing would work, but even if it does it's still not ideal to use that PSU because it's too long. It'll end up significantly limiting GPU length. The other guy's recommendation of Corsair rme PSU makes more sense since it's short enough that it won't get in the way of a longer graphics card.
if you use the expansion box, can the psu extend into it? e.g., if you have, say, 165mm psu and don't want to have to buy a new one, will it fit with the expansion box (and a long gpu)?
You need to rotate the psu with fan facing front mesh . Having psu with fan inside is a no no. Warm air from inside of case and heat from GPU is too close to psu fan which will suck up all that hot inside the psu sucking out to top of psu.
Myth! If that were true how does the GPU cool itself inside a hot case? How does a top mounted AIO work? How does a CPU tower keep the CPU cool sucking in all the hot air from the GPU? “Hot” is relative. The “Hot” air inside a case is still plenty cold enough to cool electronic components.
@@ElevatedSystemsthanks. Does the cover over the expansion slot screws serve any other purpose than to hide the screws? It seems so unnecessary, unless I’m missing something.
Using a mini itx mobo wont change the space u have above the motherboard to add an aio, either motherboard would be at the same height. U would need the expansion box to install an aio
In a compact case excess cables can interfere with airflow. Admittedly not as much as many ppl believe however. But this case is available with a tg side panel too.
It's about the fulfilling feeling of knowing everything is as optimized as you can make it! Ofc performance wise it's probably little to no impact to temps.
