Discussion The curious case of SAMA IM-01 and its many, many clones/licensees

[kikimaru024]

Alright, so since I still have too much time on my hands (i.e. unemployed) I took a little time today to look at the curious case of the SAMA IM-01 and how they've licensed it out all over the world.
I don't know if it was designed in Vietnam or in China, but that doesn't really matter, does it?

What's really interesting is how many partner companies have signed on to distribute this unassuming metal box, all over the world.
So far I've found:

• Cube Gaming Axel - Indonesia
• FSP CST350 Plus - Europe
• GALAX Rev 03 - India
• Inter-Tech IM1 - Germany
• Itek Case EVOKE - Italy
• Krux Naos - Poland
• Lian Li LANCOOL 185M - USA (MicroCenter exclusive)
• NOX Xtreme Hummer Vault - Spain
• Pichau HX100 - Brazil
• Sapphire Nitro M01 - China
• Tecware Fusion - UK / Global
• Zebronics Zeb-WOODAN - India

Only FSP, Lian Li & Sapphire even changed the front panel (FSP adding a vented front & USB-C).
And most vendors also don't even bother to put any fans into the case.

Also, a little misconception I found while browsing - the Montech Sky One Mini is NOT a SAMA clone - totally different tooling & size!

 

[confusis]

Interesting - I recently bought an IM01, didn't know there were so many clones out there.

@Revenant did a small review on it a while back: https://smallformfactor.net/forum/threads/case-overview-sama-im01.17034/

It's a pretty good case for the price, almost a budget Cerberus in many aspects including layout. I'm trying to build a watercooled AM4 M-ATX rig in it, but the fan mount locations are restricting me a fair bit as to radiator selection

 

[haunting]

It can be manufactured cheaply with decent enough build quality, and the layout is tried and true without the cost and reliability issues of risers. Not surprised many vendors want a piece of this. NR200 only took off the way it did because SAMA isn't a brand as well known as CM

 

[Revenant]

The case is good at $60. I wouldn't pay more for it than that.

FSP look the most interesting to my eye due to the mesh front. I can't recall off hand, but if the PSU can use the front as an intake it will help temps.

 

[Mark13]

I took a look at the MicroCenter version on their website. The rear panel on their version has been updated to allow a 92mm in addition to an 80mm rear fan to be fitted. I also queried MicroCenter and they advised that the case comes with 2 side panels - one glass - one metal-ventilated. Some markets provide two metal plus the glass side panel - like the Cooler Master NR200P.

 

[Gingerbeer]

I got the SAMA IM-01 about six months ago, and I prefer it over the NR200 - it's barely any bigger and offers a lot more compatibility. The NR200 is a great case, but I think CM missed a trick.

Once I have enough spare cash for a EK-Quantum Vector FE RTX 3090 GPU block, I'll be trying out a twin 240mm radiator loop in there.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

I got the SAMA IM-01 about six months ago, and I prefer it over the NR200 - it's barely any bigger and offers a lot more compatibility. The NR200 is a great case, but I think CM missed a trick.

For ITX or mATX? For mATX it'd be interesting, but the builds I've seen so far did not look promising (Background: My original plan for my system was to do a mATX mod with the NR200, hence I also looked into the SAMA IM-01).

cu, w0lf.

 

[confusis]

New build in mine, awaiting some bits:

 

[rambleon84]

I just finished my build in the lancool 185m. Went a little different with where I mounted things. Modified the front panel to get the AIO up top and then PSU down low.

I'm happy with how it's turned out. Case was $85 from microcenter

 

[confusis]

Love it!! @rambleon84

I really should get some pics of mine completed this evening. And finish a review of cables too

 

[rambleon84]

Love it!! @rambleon84

I really should get some pics of mine completed this evening. And finish a review of cables too

Here's a few more, showing a little more what I did with the front:
The case did come with a mesh side and brackets to mount fans there. I wanted to put the window to use though. Idle temps are high 30s, low 40s depending on ambient. Gaming, CPU stays in the 60s and gpu will get up to low 70s. Running a 5700x and the GPU is a 6700xt, mild over clock/undervolt on both.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Currently planning to do a vertical version, with the front on the bottom, and the system as a whole hidden away behind a monitor. Potentially gonna add a "bottom" topper, to hide away a bit of the cable clutter. Did a quick test run, CPU temps only upped by 2 - 3 C, should get better when I rearrange the CPU cooler fans to exhaust instead of intake.

cu, w0lf.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

I've just measured the case again, for a reply in a thread, and it turns out, the official numbers are moot: Officially, the case is supposedly 21.92L, with 185 x 303 x 391 mm. That apparently includes the feet and some magic space pockets, because the "basic style" Inter-Tech IM-1 that is sitting here has the following dimension:

295 mm x 375 mm x 184 mm = 20.355 L =~ 20.36L


And nope, its not the front plate - that one is sitting flush, being built more like a steel "wrapper" around the first 25ish mm of the front part of the case frame. That may add a bit, maybe 1 - 2 mm to the case, but not 20.

cu, w0lf.

 

[maniel]

i'm curious about going vertical with this case, mine stands under my desk and i'm a bit paranoid about spilling my drink on the case, also putting it on it's back would significant;y reduce it's footprint, is anyone here familiar with some projects or modifications enabling this case to stand on it's back?

 

[confusis]

I've not seen one as yet, but I imagine some tall(ish) feet and right angle cables and it should work fine. The legend on the front/top IO will be upside down though :S

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

I've not seen one as yet, but I imagine some tall(ish) feet and right angle cables and it should work fine. The legend on the front/top IO will be upside down though :S

Been driving the system in upside down mode for quite a while, and I havent had any issues with that yet. Actually, its much more convenient, esp. considering the case sits on top of a Kallax shelf.

Take a look at my thread for thermals - I'd say its a win-win situation: Better thermals, less space wasted, and no issues with dangling PSU cables anymore

Obviously this only works if its sitting ON the desk or a shelf, anything below a desk or even worse, on the floor (*shudders inwards*), wont benefit from this at all.

cu, w0lf.