Installation and Conclusion
The installation process with the SAMA S50 was fairly straightforward. As it is the main distinct feature of the S50, I started by installing my ENERMAX PlatimaxII 1200DF 1200W power supply first, making sure to connect the internal power cable before installing it. SAMA has opted to place the PSU vertically towards the front of the case instead of the more conventional bottom-shroud location. This is the primary reason that the S50 is able to be shorter than other comparable cases, and it does this without blocking access to the backplate. That being said, this design choice is not entirely free of sacrifice, as the protruding PSU shroud, while keeping width under control, limits the fan size on the front of the case to 120mm. The S50 has a listed maximum PSU size of 18cm, and the 1200DF I used in this install measures 15cm for reference. After whipping out a measuring tape, I do believe that an 18cm PSU can be installed successfully, but something to note is that there will be very little room for error with cable lead out. I feel this rather strange PSU placement location creates unnecessary complexity and limitations with the only advantage of shaving a few centimeters off its height.
After the PSU, I installed the rest of my components without issue. One thing to note is that I needed to remove the drive tray to access the back of my motherboard for the CPU cooler backplate install. Other than this, the order of installation does not matter, as it all comes together eventually.
During the installation process, I found that I was never lacking room behind the motherboard tray for the cabling. As previously mentioned, there is a space of approximately 40mm between the motherboard tray and the right side panel. There are three Velcro ties included with the S50, but I did not end up using them, as I have too often in the past been guilty of the "out of sight, out of mind” style of cable management. That said, there are plenty of zip tie anchor points to work with if I decide to cable manage more responsibly. The multiple openings on the motherboard tray are convenient for easy cable routing. I did not use one for this installation, but I could have chosen a motherboard with backside connectors, as the S50 case is compatible with these as well. While the various openings should be sufficient for your cable managing needs, as mentioned earlier, this case does not include any rubber grommets, which is likely a cost saving measure.
The remaining steps of the install passed without incident. After installing the motherboard, the next step was to install the Noctua NH-D15S chromax.black. This heatsink measures 160mm in height, and fits cleanly within the case. Before accessing the heatsink backplate, the 2.5”/3.5” drive tray will need to be taken out, but this is easily done with just one screw removed. I opted not to install any 2.5”/3.5” drives, as it is 2026, but if I had, the SAMA S50 supports four 2.5” or three 3.5” drives. The three 120mm fans on the front of the case do not daisy-chain, so they will all need to be connected individually to the built-in fan hub.
Throughout the course of the install, you will need to keep your Phillips head screwdriver handy, but all the screws for this case can be handled with the same screwdriver. I always appreciate when a product does not require more than one tool, as it makes me feel much more prepared than I am in reality. The number of screws used for this case, in my opinion, balances the need for secure attachment without progressing into tedium.
After everything was connected and plugged in, the computer assembly within the SAMA S50 was ready to spin to life. Using the squircle-shaped power button, the system promptly lit up in response. You can view the running ARGB LED fans in the photo included above.
On a scale from 0.0 to 10.0 where 0.0 is silent and 10.0 is the loudest, the four included SAMA 120mm ARGB PWM fans come in at a 4.5 subjective sound rating at full blast. I measured them at 42.8 db(A) at 50cm, and each fan produced an airflow speed of 16.2 km/h, or 10.1 mph, directly at the outlet. The fans run without any irritating or unusual noise. However, there is no effort made to silence the fans through any sound dampening elements within the case, so do not expect abnormally quiet operation.
-----------------------------------------
The SAMA S50 offers a tempered glass side panel, distinctive vertical-mounted PSU layout, and pre-installed ARGB PWM fans all for $95 at press time. At this price, the SAMA S50 poses a clear question: What gets cut to hit that number? As we have seen, not much. The S50 is a good-looking case that employs an aesthetic dominated by mesh and tempered glass for a modern look. In use, the ball-and-socket attachment system used for the left and right panels are a very convenient addition. The hinged door next to the expansion card slots is a cool addition, and the use of a thumbscrew makes access easy. Inside, there are plenty of zip tie anchor points, three included Velcro straps, and sufficient clearance behind the motherboard tray for good cable management. The ARGB PWM fans are a nice addition, and I appreciate the flexibility afforded by the choice between the included fan hub controller or motherboard for wiring and control. The strange power supply placement seems to add unnecessary complexity and limitations without any measurable benefits compared to a convention bottom mount design though. You only shave a few centimeters on the height, but that is about it. There are no rubber grommets either, but this is expected within the price range. Overall, the SAMA S50 is a well-put-together case that is worth considering for anyone shopping within this competitive price bracket if the PSU placement does not bother you.
SAMA provided this product to APH Networks for the purposes of evaluation.
APH Networks Review Focus Summary:
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks, but should be considered before purchasing.
6/10 means A product with its advantages, but drawbacks should not be ignored before purchasing.
-- Final APH Networks Numeric Rating is 6.5/10
Please note that the APH Networks Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other publications.
The SAMA S50 is good-looking and well-built mid-tower case that keeps its size small, but the strange PSU placement adds unnecessary complexity and limitations.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Outside
3. Physical Look - Inside
4. Installation and Conclusion
