In the era of compact PC builds—where ITX motherboards, Mini-ITX cases, and HTPCs (Home Theater PCs) dominate small-space setups—finding a CPU cooler that balances space efficiency and 散热 performance has long been a challenge. Most high-performance air coolers tower over 100mm, making them incompatible with slim cases; while cheap low-profile options often sacrifice heat dissipation, leaving mid-range CPUs like the Intel i5-12500 or AMD Ryzen 5 stuck in thermal throttling.
Enter the GameMax Ice Surface BK CPU Air Cooler—a low-profile solution that defies the "small = weak" stereotype. With a mere 47mm height, 4 pure copper heat pipes, and a precision-engineered airflow design, it’s not just a "compact cooler"—it’s the best low profile CPU cooler for anyone who refuses to compromise on performance for size.
Before diving into the Ice Surface BK, let’s clarify what defines a top-tier low-profile CPU cooler:
Height ≤ 50mm: To fit slim Mini-ITX cases (e.g., NZXT H1, Cooler Master NR200P) and HTPC enclosures.
Solid TDP Support: Must handle mid-range CPUs (120W–150W) without overheating—critical for gaming or content creation.
Broad Compatibility: Works with both Intel and AMD’s latest sockets, avoiding "upgrade lock-in."
Quiet Operation: No one wants a shrill fan ruining their HTPC movie nights or desktop workflow.
Durability: Long-lasting components to avoid frequent replacements.
The GameMax Ice Surface BK checks every box—and then some.
The most defining trait of a low-profile cooler is its height—and the Ice Surface BK nails this with a mere 47mm (H) × 92mm (L) × 92mm (W) footprint. This means it:
Fits in 99% of Mini-ITX cases (even slim models with 50mm clearance).
Avoids blocking RAM slots or PCIe components—critical for ITX builds where space is a premium.
Weighs just 322g, reducing stress on fragile ITX motherboard sockets (unlike heavier low-profile coolers that risk bending PCBs over time).
Most low-profile coolers skimp on heat pipes (opting for 2 or even 1), but the Ice Surface BK doubles down with 4×6mm pure copper vacuum heat pipes—a rarity in the sub-50mm category. Here’s why this matters:
Direct CPU Contact: The heat pipes connect directly to the CPU’s IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader), eliminating thermal resistance from intermediate plates. Heat is siphoned away from the CPU core in milliseconds.
Copper Efficiency: Copper conducts heat 60% better than aluminum, ensuring faster heat transfer to the fins.
150W TDP Support: This cooler handles CPUs like the Intel i5-12500 (125W base) or AMD Ryzen 5 5600 (65W base, 110W boost) with ease—no thermal throttling, even under full load (e.g., gaming, video rendering).
Heat pipes are only effective if they can offload heat to the air—and the Ice Surface BK’s fin design is optimized for this. It uses 116 aluminum fins with reflow soldering (a process that bonds fins to heat pipes tightly, no gaps) and fins bending technology—a subtle but game-changing detail:
Bent fins create "air channels" that reduce turbulence, letting the fan push air through the fin stack more efficiently.
More fins = more surface area for heat dissipation. At 47mm tall, the Ice Surface BK packs nearly 20% more fins than competing low-profile coolers (e.g., the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Low Profile, which has 90 fins).
A low-profile cooler is useless if its fan is loud or short-lived. The Ice Surface BK solves this with a 92×92×15mm hydraulic bearing fan:
PWM Control: The 4-pin connector syncs with your motherboard to adjust fan speed (1000–3000 RPM) based on CPU temperature. At idle (1000 RPM), it’s nearly silent; under load (3000 RPM), it caps at 25.5dBA—quieter than a conversation (60dBA) or even a quiet fan (30dBA).
Hydraulic Bearing: Unlike sleeve bearings (which wear out in 10,000–20,000 hours), hydraulic bearings last ≥40,000 hours (over 4 years of 24/7 use) and produce less friction (read: less noise).
Removable Design: The fan uses metal fasteners (not plastic clips) that are easy to remove for cleaning—no more struggling to dust between fins.
The best low-profile coolers work with both Intel and AMD, and the Ice Surface BK delivers:
Intel Sockets: LGA1851 (14th Gen), LGA1700 (12th/13th Gen), LGA1200 (10th/11th Gen), and LGA115X (6th–9th Gen).
AMD Sockets: AM4 (Ryzen 3/5/7 1000–5000 series).
Whether you’re upgrading an old LGA1151 build or building a new LGA1851 ITX rig, this cooler fits—no need to buy a new one for your next CPU.
If you’re in any of these scenarios, this is the low-profile cooler for you:
ITX Gamers: Building a compact gaming PC (e.g., with an Intel i5-13400F or AMD Ryzen 5 7600) and need a cooler that fits in cases like the NZXT H1 or Lian Li Q58.
HTPC Enthusiasts: Setting up a home theater PC for 4K streaming or light gaming—quiet operation and slim design are non-negotiable.
Mini Workstations: Using a small PC for photo editing or coding (e.g., with an Intel i7-12700T) and need reliable cooling without sacrificing desk space.
SFF Upgraders: Replacing a stock cooler in a prebuilt Mini PC (e.g., Dell OptiPlex Micro) to reduce noise and improve thermal performance.
The GameMax Ice Surface BK isn’t just another low-profile cooler—it’s a solution to the "size vs. performance" dilemma that plagues compact PC builders. With its 47mm height, 4 copper heat pipes, quiet hydraulic fan, and universal compatibility, it checks every box for what makes a best low profile CPU cooler.
Whether you’re building a silent HTPC, a space-saving ITX gaming rig, or a mini workstation, the Ice Surface BK proves that small size doesn’t have to mean weak cooling. For anyone who wants to maximize performance in a compact PC, this cooler is a no-brainer.
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
