Introduction

We would like to thank SAMA for supplying the review sample.



Many of you most likely never heard of SAMA before. We actually have evaluated some affordable offerings by SAMA in the past, and although quality wasn't up to the standards of other well-known OEMs, prices were very low, while their PSUs featured a modern design you wouldn't have come across in other mainstream units; finding Gold-certified units with an LLC resonant topology for 40 bucks is admittedly also almost impossible.

SAMA has been on our radar for quite some time now, and we believe the company to be capable of putting some pressure on other OEMs if it decides to expand into other regions around the globe so long as it has the proper facilities in place to keep up with demand.

Only recently did we notice the release of a high-end SAMA unit that features 80 PLUS Titanium efficiency. Belonging to the 24K series, this unit's model number is FTX-800-2. A quick look at Ecova Plug Load Solution's site, the 80 PLUS organization, reveals two things: Firstly, the FTX-800-2 has an official 80 PLUS Titanium badge, and there is, secondly, an even more impressive SAMA unit, the FTX-800-1 with a Platinum certification but much higher efficiency levels than its Titanium sibling as it actually meets the efficiency requirements of the 80 PLUS Titanium certification! Why is the FTX-800-1 only Platinum certified? Well, a Titanium certification also tasks the unit with over 0.95 PF at 20% load, and the FTX-800-1 only scores 0.92 PF at 20% of its maximum-rated-capacity load. SAMA probably used a less efficient APFC converter with the FTX-800-1 to increase efficiency. Residential consumers, though, only pay for real (active) power, not apparent power, so we believe the FTX-800-1 to be even more interesting than the FTX-800-2 since it is more efficient. As you will have figured by now, we already know which unit we will ask to review next.

The FTX-800-2 not only looks impressive as it also has some nice features. For starters, it is fully modular, only uses Japanese capacitors to handle ripple filtering, and has a top-quality Sanyo Denki fan. The modular cables are also of high quality and are individually sleeved. This model clearly is for enthusiast users, and its capacity puts in the highly popular 750-850 W category, which should help SAMA make a name for itself by attracting the interest of large companies if it performs well.

Specifications

As has already been mentioned in the prologue, efficiency is 80 PLUS Titanium, and the unit features a fully modular cabling design. SAMA also says it to be capable of delivering its full power continuously at up to 50°C; however, we encountered shutdowns due to OTP (Over Temperature Protection) at operating temperatures above 46 °C with a full load in our tests.

Every protection-specific feature but OCP (Over Current Protection) has been included, but OCP also isn't required in single +12V rail PSUs. Cooling duties are handled by a quality Sanyo Denki fan with a lifetime of up to 40,000 hours at 60 °C. There is no semi-passive mode, but this fan is very quiet at low speeds, so the lack of a fanless option at light loads won't be a significant problem to most. However, its fan profile is pretty aggressive at operating temperatures above 30 °C. At almost 19 cm long, this PSU is also quite large, while it's priced at around $200 in China. Given its high quality modular cables, its price doesn't look too stiff.

The single +12V rail can deliver up to 780 W on its own, so it's strong enough to support a powerful gaming system with two high-end VGAs. The minor rails look weak, but you won't need more than 100 W of combined power from these rails since most PC components nowadays are fed by the +12V rail. The 5VSB rail is a little stronger than is the norm for today's PSUs.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

There aren't enough EPS and PCIe connectors for a high-end 800 W unit. There should at least be two EPS connectors, and SAMA could easily provide an additional two PCIe connectors. There are, on the other hand, plenty of SATA connectors, and enough 4-pin Molex connectors. The cables are long enough, and the distance between connectors is ideal. Every connector also uses 18-gauge wires, which is as the ATX specification recommends.

Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, we do not have anything to comment on when it comes to its power distribution.

Packaging

The PSU and its box were shipped in a sturdy cardboard box, which kept its contents intact.


The PSU's box lacks any fancy graphics or detailed bits of information on the product. At the front is a photo of the PSU on a black backdrop, and the series description is given in large letters in the bottom-right corner. Strangely enough, the 80 PLUS Titanium badge hasn't been put on this side of the box.


On the back are another photo of the PSU, a short features description in Chinese, and a series of icons for the Titanium efficiency, DC-DC converters, Japanese caps, and 3-year warranty, which is too short for a premium PSU.

Contents

Packing foam protects the internals of the box, and the PSU is inside a nice cloth bag.


The bundle includes another bag you can stow any unused modular cables in. SAMA sent us a UK power cord, and the bundle also includes a set of fixing bolts and an inspection card.


This leaflet probably has to do with the product's warranty.

Exterior

This is a nice-looking PSU with an external design that easily makes it stand out from the crowd. The honeycomb mesh isn't restricted to the front as it extends to the fan grille. The lack of edges surely makes constructing this chassis harder, which increases production costs, but it does add a ton of appearance points. Lastly, a small power switch has been installed right next to the AC socket.


The side plates are made of aluminum, are colored in a nice rose gold, and have anodized edges, which looks sleek!


Here is the large specifications label on the PSU's bottom. There are also two small stickers, one for the hi-pot tests and the other persumably for the product's model number. Screws are hiding under both of these stickers.


The modular board at the PSU's rear hosts 15 sockets in total. Six of them are for the PCIe and EPS cables, two for the 24-pin ATX connector, and five for peripheral cables.


Distinctive looks, that's for sure, and the finish on these aluminum plates is just great. The PSU's finish is of good quality as well.