Case Overview: SAMA IM01

We at SFF.Network are still working out the details of our new case testing methodology. However, we still want to profile and feature some of the cases that our readers are interested in. For now, we’re going to be doing some case overviews that go over the details and our impressions prior to the build and testing. So what case will start this series? Top of the line custom case? Dan A4-H20? Ghost S1?
Nope!
Today, we’re looking at the ultra-budget $59 SAMA IM01.

I purchased the SAMA IM01 during a New Egg sale for just $59, and it typically sells for $69. It’s a 21.9L case that supports MATX and ITX, and is has been a bargain interest in...

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[Valantar]

Wow, that is some fantastic value! Even accounting for the paint quality and fitment issues this would be an amazing entry into the SFF world for most people.

 

[Gingerbeer]

This looks like a ever-so-slightly bigger NR200 - No bad thing.

I'm trying to source one in the UK, because I don't fancy effectively doubling the price to order from Newegg and having it shipped over.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

No shots inside??

 

[Revenant]

No shots inside??

Review will be forthcoming.

 

[Revenant]

No shots inside??

Also, you have to follow the link to the main article. There are a lot more shots in it.

Case Overview: SAMA IM01 – SFF.Network

smallformfactor.net

 

[Gingerbeer]

Found it on sale at AliExpress then stacked paypal and Honey discounts to get it for ~£78 shipped to the UK.

I can live with that. Just have to wait about ten weeks for it to get here!

Also, you have to follow the link to the main article. There are a lot more shots in it.

Case Overview: SAMA IM01 – SFF.Network

smallformfactor.net

The side rad mount and the way the corners of the frame are designed makes me think this is the same OEM as the NR200. Even the finger grab for the front panel looks the same.

 

[Revenant]

Found it on sale at AliExpress then stacked paypal and Honey discounts to get it for ~£78 shipped to the UK.

I can live with that. Just have to wait about ten weeks for it to get here!



The side rad mount and the way the corners of the frame are designed makes me think this is the same OEM as the NR200. Even the finger grab for the front panel looks the same.

It is not an OEM NR200. Similar layout though.

 

[Gingerbeer]

It is not an OEM NR200. Similar layout though.

No, I didn't mean that - I own a NR200. I meant that it might be from the same OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). There are so many design similarities that it's probably made in the same factory at least.

 

[Gingerbeer]

For those who are interested, the case is available under a number of different names:

SAMA IM-01
Tecware Fusion
Inter-Tech IM-1
ITEK Case Evoke
NOX Extreme
Cube Gaming Axel

There may be more, but that's all I've found so far.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

For those who are interested, the case is available under a number of different names:

SAMA IM-01
Tecware Fusion
Inter-Tech IM-1
ITEK Case Evoke
NOX Extreme
Cube Gaming Axel

There may be more, but that's all I've found so far.

Intertech IM-1 is available in Germany (Geizhals). Official distributor page to be found over here.
Might actually get this one, too, see how much weight I can shave off and maybe replace the front with something more "breathable" (ie.the Fractal Node Core 500 sits at ca. 4.5 kg and has always been planned as my ultimate fallback).

cu, w0lf.

 

[Gingerbeer]

It finally arrived! That was such a long wait.

On the plus side, no customs charges - yay! However, no dust filters on the two side panels - boo! Luckily, I have a couple of spare mesh filters for my NR200, which fit the SAMA panels perfectly.

The little box of fittings was a nice touch - various sized screws, zip and twist ties, no fan screws (strangely) but they did include a few spare panel clips - something I didn't receive with my NR200 and needed almost immediately, because the NR200 was delivered during a cold spell and two of the clips shattered when I pulled the panels off. To be fair to CM's customer service they responded quickly with some spares and even chucked in a couple of black mesh sheets for the side panels. My case was white and I wanted black mesh to contrast the side panels - I was expecting to pay for those but they just shipped them FOC. That was the third time I'd dealt with CM's customer service team and I've come away impressed every time.

The IM-01 though - honestly, Cooler Master missed a trick with the NR200 - this case is only 16mm longer and 11mm taller, and it can house a full fat 244mm x 244mm mATX motherboard - it is now home to a MSI B550M Mortar, Ryzen 9 5950X and a RTX 3090 FE.

The NR200 does have a slightly better paint finish - I mean you can feel the difference if you run your fingers over it, but IM-01 looks bloody good for the money. The NR200 also has more open side panels (bigger holes), but the IM-01's top panel is the same as the side panels, whereas the NR200 has that very fine (and restrictive) mesh top panel; so the IM-01 actually has better airflow - I ran my NR200 with the top mesh removed because of how much it hindered warm air exhaust.

Again, NR200 edges it on build quality - the internal frame is screwed together, where the IM-01's frame is riveted - it also has a better drive mounting system behind the front panel, but most of the chassis internals are pretty much identical. I do like the magnetic PCI backplane screw covers on the SAMA though.

I'll be keeping the IM-01 and donating the NR200 to my son as a replacement for his Fractal Core 500.

Colour me impressed.

 

[mrp0p1nfr3sh]

anyone have build photos of this?

 

[confusis]

anyone have build photos of this?

Some in here: https://smallformfactor.net/reviews/powersupplies/v-amp-studio-psu-extensions-and-cable-kits/

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

anyone have build photos of this?

Building my Server / NAS / sleep music sound system rn .. doing shots every odd minute, there is gonna be plenty.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Note: FSP also has a version of this, with the advantage of having the solid steel plate front replaced with a mesh panel, buts its gone from geizhals for now: FSP CST350 Plus

cu, w0lf.

 

[confusis]

Eww - they took a sleek case and made it look like a Coolermaster chassis from 2010!

https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/legacy-products/cases/elite-371/

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Re: Pictures of build - Just dropped a few photos of my build onto my masto account. There may be some more toots in the next few days, too: https://kosmos.social/@ginsterbusch/109950556673036327

I'm building a NAS / music server / surf station, with a mATX board. Thus, mostly slim 120 mm fans or 92 mm regular fans.

 

[Gingerbeer]

I thought I had posted a pic of my build, about a years ago... can't find it on here though.