SAMA S50 at a Glance: Compact ATX Case with Front-Mounted Power Supply

Philipp Briel
Philipp Briel · 4 min. read

SAMA S50 at a Glance: Compact ATX Case with Front-Mounted Power Supply

Anyone looking to fit high-end hardware into a case that takes up as little space as possible usually has to compromise on cooling or compatibility. The new SAMA S50 aims to solve this dilemma: The compact ATX case features a front-mounted power supply, four pre-installed ARGB fans, and generous mesh panels. It also comes with A+ Thermal certification and an attractive price. This article summarizes what the S50 offers in detail and which builds it’s suitable for.

  • Front-mounted power supply: relocates the PSU to a separate front compartment, thereby reducing the case’s footprint.
  • Robust cooling out of the box: four 120-mm ARGB PWM fans, dense mesh panels, and A+ thermal certification from PPLP.INFO.
  • High compatibility: GPUs up to 410 mm, CPU coolers up to 165 mm, and support for back-connect motherboards.
  • Easy assembly: tool-free panels, 47 mm cable routing space, and flexible drive mounts.

Front-Mounted Power Supply as the Key to the Compact Design

The defining feature of the SAMA S50 is its front-mounted power supply. Instead of housing the PSU in the main compartment under a cover as is customary, SAMA relocates it to an isolated compartment on the front of the case. This significantly reduces the tower’s footprint without compromising space for other components. With dimensions of 475 × 235 × 426 mm (D × W × H), the case remains pleasantly compact and joins a growing number of models featuring an alternative internal layout.

SAMA S50

Despite its compact dimensions, hardware compatibility remains remarkably high. The S50 accommodates ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, including modern back-connect designs with rear-panel connectors, where the cables are routed to the back of the board. Graphics cards can be up to 410 mm long, CPU air coolers up to 165 mm tall, and ATX power supplies up to 180 mm deep. This makes the case suitable for both tidy office systems and full-fledged gaming rigs with the latest high-end hardware. Those interested in particularly compact systems will also find the NZXT H2 Flow an exciting small-form-factor option.

Four ARGB PWM fans and A+ thermal certification

When it comes to cooling, the S50 relies on the combination of dense mesh panels on the front and top, along with a well-balanced internal layout. Four 120-mm ARGB PWM fans come pre-installed, providing ample airflow and lighting without the need to purchase additional fans right away. An integrated ARGB/PWM hub controls up to six fans. The lighting can be controlled either via an LED button on the front panel or synchronized with the motherboard to achieve uniform system lighting.

SAMA S50

The A+ Thermal certification from the independent testing lab PPLP.INFO—the second-highest rating—proves just how well this design works. For more demanding setups, the S50 offers plenty of headroom: A total of up to eleven 120-mm fans can be installed, distributed across the front, top, rear, bottom, and one side panel. The top panel also accommodates a 360-mm radiator, so even powerful all-in-one liquid cooling systems are no problem. This makes the S50 significantly more capable of cooling than its compact dimensions might initially suggest—an aspect that was also a key focus in the airflow-oriented ENDORFY Arx 500 ARGB, for example.

Tool-Free Access and Flexible Cable Management

The S50 also proves to be practical when it comes to assembly. The side panels, front bezel, and top cover can be removed without tools, which significantly simplifies access to the interior and saves time during assembly and maintenance. Behind the motherboard tray, there’s 47 mm of space for cable management, complemented by multiple mounting points and well-organized cable guides. This keeps the cabling neat even in fully equipped systems—a convenience feature that also stood out positively in our APNX C1 review.

The S50 also offers flexibility when it comes to storage options. A removable drive cage accommodates up to three 3.5-inch hard drives or four 2.5-inch SSDs, adapting to a variety of needs—from pure gaming builds to storage-intensive configurations. A tempered glass side panel visually rounds out the overall package and offers a clear view of the illuminated hardware.

Conclusion

The SAMA S50 gets a lot right: The front-mounted power supply enables a compact design without compromising on compatibility or cooling, and the four pre-installed ARGB fans—complete with A+ Thermal certification—are anything but a given in this price range. The case is available in black and white on Amazon.de, with an MSRP ranging from 89.90 to 99.90 euros. For budget-conscious users looking for a versatile and well-cooled ATX case, the S50 is a strong contender.