With the rising popularity of ITX mini PCs and desktop Mini PCs, the "small form factor + powerful performance" combination has gradually become a new trend in the PC building community. However, the limited internal space of small cases often poses a challenge for cooling systems: while traditional tower CPU coolers deliver strong heat dissipation, their excessive height makes them incompatible with compact cases; on the other hand, ordinary low-profile coolers often suffer from "inadequate cooling performance". At this juncture, Low-Profile high-efficiency CPU air coolers have emerged as the key solution—and the product lineup from GameMax, available on its official website, is redefining the possibilities of cooling in small spaces with its blend of "compact design and robust heat dissipation".
Before delving into specific products, it is essential to understand why Low-Profile coolers have become a core component for mini PC builds. Their core value revolves around two key dimensions—space compatibility and heat dissipation effectiveness—effectively addressing the pain points of small cases:
Space Adaptability: Low-Profile coolers typically have a height of less than 50mm, allowing them to fit easily into ITX cases with strict height restrictions (such as the common 40-55mm height limit). This avoids conflicts with RAM heat spreaders, PCIe graphics cards, or case tops, maximizing the use of internal space in small cases.
Installation Flexibility: Their compact size simplifies the installation process. There is no need to worry about the cooler being too wide to block motherboard ports or too heavy to cause motherboard warping—making them especially suitable for novice DIY builders.
Silence and Stability: Compared to liquid cooling systems, Low-Profile air coolers eliminate the risk of leakage. They are also often paired with small-sized silent fans (e.g., 92mm or 120mm) and use PWM intelligent speed control to balance "heat dissipation efficiency" and "noise reduction", ensuring long-term stable operation.
Versatile Scenarios: Whether for daily office work, light gaming, or content creation (such as 4K video editing or code compilation), as long as the CPU power consumption falls within the mid-range (100-150W TDP), a high-quality Low-Profile cooler can handle the load without compromising performance.
Gamma 200 RGB CPU Cooler. UNIQUE DESIGN. Top-Flow Air CPU Cooler
• DIRECT-TOUCH STYLE COPPER BOTTOM
• Intel and AMD platform are both supported
• 4PIN PWM Fan
• Rainbow ARGB light effect
GameMax Ice Surface CPU Air Cooler, Super perfermance half profile height for Mini PC and ITX PC system ,4 Heat-Pipes, 92mm Hydraulic Bearing CPU Fan, Fins Bending, 4-pin CPU Cooler, for Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X, and AMD AM4
• 【47mm Height,CPU Air Cooler】Ice Surface CPU Air Cooler is armed with 116 pieces of penetrate-design fins, and high-level metal fasteners
• 【4 Copper Heat-pipes】The 4x6mm Pure copper and vacuum heat-pipes of this CPU Cooler for can directly connect to the CPU
• Thus, the heat can be transferred to the fins quickly without any obstacles
• And it adopts 116 inserted fins, the heat pipes and fins can be closely connected, the heat conduction system is easy to work
• 【Removable PWM Fans】This CPU Fan is safe and easy to maintain with the removable fan fasteners that made of metal materials for avoiding the possibility of damage in transit
• The soft fan blades combined with each other, bringing to the bright sense of beauty
• 【Fins Bending Technology】The fins of this CPU Cooler adopt the bending technology that contributes to the good ventilation and heat conduction ability between the fins
Gamma 300 CPU air cooler provides excellent performance featuring a 120mm big bowl fan for higher air pressure, and unique top-down Accelerated Cooling design to dissipate heat for the CPU, memory, and the motherboard
• The Gamma300 is for enthusiasts and gamers to push their systems to the limit
• Exceptional cooling performance is a must to keep it running stable and at max speeds
• The Gamma 300 is also stylishly design to match the precision engineered components in your build
• It even comes with a rainbow ARGB fans and controller for you to change the your lighting without limitations, and it apply with AURA 3pin header for sync
• Gamm300 Rainbow has 5pcs Direct Contact Heatpipes to provide the best in thermal performance.A base engineered to minimize CPU contact gaps provides excellent heat conduction.
Within GameMax’s CPU air cooler product matrix, the Ice Surface BK stands out as the core of the Low-Profile category. Specifically designed for Mini PCs and ITX systems, this cooler achieves the perfect balance between "compact form factor" and "high-efficiency cooling" with an ultra-low height of 47mm. It also offers excellent compatibility and silent performance, making it a "cooling powerhouse" for mini PC builds.
Every specification of the Ice Surface BK is engineered around the "Low-Profile + high-efficiency" concept, with each configuration serving the cooling needs of small cases:
| Core Configuration | Specific Parameters | Design Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Cooler Height | 47mm | Fits most ITX cases (compatible with cases with a height limit of over 50mm) and avoids blocking RAM or graphics cards. |
| Heat Conduction Structure | 4 Heat-Pipes + Finned Bending Design | The 4 heat pipes quickly transfer CPU heat, while the finned bending process increases heat dissipation area and enhances air convection efficiency. |
| Cooling Fan | 92mm Hydraulic Bearing PWM Fan (4-pin) | Hydraulic bearings reduce operating noise (to below 25dB), and PWM intelligent speed control (automatically adjusts speed based on CPU temperature) balances cooling and silence. |
| Platform Compatibility | Supports Intel LGA1851/1700/1200/115X, AMD AM4 | Covers mainstream 12th/13th-gen Intel Core and 5th/7th-gen AMD Ryzen CPUs, eliminating "platform incompatibility" concerns. |
| Aesthetic Design | All-Black Finish + No RGB Lighting | A minimalist and understated style that matches various case interiors. It also avoids light pollution, making it ideal for users seeking "quiet office setups" or "minimalist builds". |
A common question arises: Can a 47mm low-profile cooler handle mid-range CPUs? GameMax equips the Ice Surface BK with three core technologies to deliver high-efficiency cooling in a compact size:
Direct Heat Pipe Contact + Copper Base Optimization: Although the document does not explicitly mention a "direct-touch copper base", we can infer from GameMax’s other series (e.g., the Gamma 200 with "DIRECT-TOUCH STYLE COPPER BOTTOM") that the Ice Surface BK likely adopts a design where the copper base directly contacts the CPU. Copper’s high thermal conductivity minimizes heat transfer loss, allowing heat from the CPU core to quickly transfer to the heat pipes.
Finned Bending and Density Optimization: The cooler uses a "finned bending" process. Compared to traditional flat fins, this not only increases heat dissipation area but also guides airflow to pass through the fins more evenly, preventing "local heat accumulation". Additionally, the fin density is precisely calculated to ensure sufficient heat dissipation area without excessively obstructing airflow—balancing "air resistance" and "cooling efficiency".
Static Pressure Optimization for 92mm Fans: Small-sized fans often struggle with "insufficient airflow", but the 92mm fan of the Ice Surface BK features a "high static pressure" design. Even in the narrow space of a small case, it can push airflow through the fin gaps to quickly expel heat—especially suitable for the "side-blown + bottom intake" airflow design of ITX cases.
Compared to traditional cooling solutions, the advantages of the Ice Surface BK are particularly evident in small cases:
VS. Tower Coolers: Tower coolers (e.g., GameMax Sigma 620 BK, approximately 150mm tall) support 245W TDP but cannot fit into ITX cases. While the Ice Surface BK has a slightly lower TDP adaptation range (around 100-150W), it fits perfectly in small spaces and meets the cooling needs of mid-range CPUs such as the i5-13400F and Ryzen 5 7600.
VS. Regular Low-Profile Coolers: Most budget low-profile coolers under $20 only come with 2-3 heat pipes and lack PWM speed control, resulting in poor cooling efficiency and noise performance. In contrast, the Ice Surface BK’s 4 heat pipes + PWM hydraulic fan deliver "beyond-class" performance in both cooling capacity and noise control.
While the Ice Surface BK is designed primarily for "Mini PC/ITX" setups, its compact design and efficient cooling allow it to cover more niche needs:
Mini Office PCs: For office PCs equipped with the i3-13100 or Ryzen 3 7300X, the Ice Surface BK’s cooling capacity is more than sufficient. Its no-light and silent design creates a quiet office environment, and there is no need to worry about heat accumulation during long-term operation.
Entry-Level Gaming PCs: For mini gaming PCs paired with the i5-13400F + GTX 4060 ITX graphics card, the CPU power consumption typically ranges from 80-100W when running games like League of Legends or CS2 at 1080P resolution. The Ice Surface BK can stabilize the CPU temperature below 70°C, preventing performance throttling due to overheating.
HTPC Home Theater PCs: HTPCs (Home Theater PCs) are usually placed in TV cabinets with closed spaces and poor ventilation. The Ice Surface BK’s low height and silent fan ensure stable PC operation without disrupting the viewing experience.
If you have higher requirements for Low-Profile coolers (e.g., RGB lighting or stronger cooling), GameMax’s official website also offers several "near-Low-Profile" products. Although they are slightly taller than the Ice Surface BK (around 60-80mm), they still fit in medium-to-large ITX cases and cater to more personalized needs:
Ice Blade FRGB: Equipped with 4 heat pipes and a 120mm fixed RGB fan, this cooler has a height of approximately 75mm and supports all platforms from Intel LGA775 to 1851 and AMD AM4/AM5. It is ideal for users who prefer RGB lighting and have slightly looser case height restrictions.
Gamma 200 RGB: Featuring a Top-Flow design (approximately 65mm tall), it comes with a direct-touch copper base and rainbow ARGB lighting. It not only cools the CPU but also assists in dissipating heat from RAM and motherboard power supplies—suitable for ITX builds requiring "comprehensive cooling".
As mini PCs gain popularity, "fitting into the case" is just as important as "managing heat effectively". GameMax’s Low-Profile CPU air coolers, represented by the Ice Surface BK, break the stereotype that "small space equals poor cooling". With a 47mm ultra-low height, 4 heat pipes, PWM silent fans, and full-platform compatibility, they provide an "efficient, stable, and user-friendly" cooling solution for ITX/Mini PC users.
