Alphacool
Alphacool is a German water cooling specialist designing and manufacturing CPU/GPU coolers, radiators, pumps and distro plates for both B2C enthusiast PC builders and B2B enterprise customers in datacenter, medical, aerospace, automotive and OEM channels, leveraging proprietary all-copper COPPERcore™ radiator technology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersBrunswick, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Alphacool does
Alphacool International GmbH is a German privately held water cooling specialist headquartered in Braunschweig, founded in 2003 by a group of PC cooling enthusiasts. The company designs, manufactures and distributes liquid cooling components and integrated solutions for desktop PCs, workstations, servers and industrial electronics, operating across three locations in Germany (R&D, design and customer support), China (manufacturing) and France (sales and marketing) with a global headcount of almost 400 employees. Its product portfolio spans CPU coolers, full-coverage GPU coolers, copper and aluminium radiators, pumps, reservoirs, distribution plates and fans, organised under the consumer-facing CORE and APEX sub-brands and the B2B Enterprise Solutions (ES) division. Core proprietary technology includes the patented reverse flow microstructure water cooling unit, the compact FKT liquid cooling unit, quick release coupling systems, the COPPERcore™ all-copper radiator platform and a 3D jetplate with cross-slot base.
Alphacool earns revenue through four streams: direct B2C e-commerce sales of components and custom cooling systems through its own online shop; B2B enterprise sales of custom server and industrial cooling solutions priced per quote; OEM manufacturing of white-label cooling products for global brands including AMD, MSI, Sapphire, ASUS, Colorful, Medion, Erazer and iChill; and professional services covering consultation, 3D visualisation, custom design and optimisation. Distribution combines direct e-commerce, an enterprise configurator tool, a global reseller and dropshipper network, and direct enterprise field sales. Reference customers span datacenters (Supermicro, InoNet, Thomas-Krenn, Cloud&Heat), semiconductors (Qualcomm), aerospace and drones (ZARM, DLR, Wingtra), automotive and industrial (Vaillant, Deutsche Bahn, Alva Motor), medical (University Hospital Heidelberg, Wavemed, DEYMED) and optics (ams-OSRAM, Jenoptik). The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, GDPR compliance and consecutive PCGH Manufacturer of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024, and continues to operate without external private equity or venture capital backing under founder-led management.
Alphacool firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alphacool
- Legal name
- Alphacool International GmbH
- Website
- https://alphacool.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Alphacool is a German water cooling specialist designing and manufacturing CPU/GPU coolers, radiators, pumps and distro plates for both B2C enthusiast PC builders and B2B enterprise customers in datacenter, medical, aerospace, automotive and OEM channels, leveraging proprietary all-copper COPPERcore™ radiator technology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alphacool industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Computer Water Cooling Systems
- NAICS
- Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (332410), Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414)
- SIC
- Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cooling & Thermal Solutions (Air/Liquid, fans, thermal paste) (HDACAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- HPC Cooling, Power & Infrastructure (Liquid Cooling, Racks, Power Delivery) (HDACAOAI), Heat Exchangers & Thermal Transfer Equipment (IMAHAKAC), Heat Transfer Equipment (Heat Exchangers, Boilers, Condensers) (IMAHAEAC)
Keywords
Where Alphacool is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brunswick
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Alphacool business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- B2C Product Sales: Direct sales of water cooling components and systems to individual consumers through own e-commerce platform and retail partners
- B2B Enterprise Solutions: Custom server cooling solutions, pre-assembled cooling modules, and professional services to enterprise customers including datacenters and industrial applications
- OEM Manufacturing: Custom-designed and manufactured water cooling products under client brands (AMD, MSI, Sapphire, etc.)
- Professional Services: Technical consultation, custom design, 3D visualization, optimization services, and support for enterprise customers
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Core Distro Plate V2 240mm - Entry-level distribution plate with VPP Apex pump |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Core Distro Plate V2 360mm - Larger distribution plate with VPP Apex pump |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apex Stealth Metal Aurora RGB Fans |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Alphacool product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alphacool designs, develops and manufactures water cooling components and complete liquid cooling systems for desktop PCs, workstations and servers. Its product portfolio spans CPU coolers, GPU coolers, full copper radiators (COPPERcore™), reservoirs, distribution plates, pumps and industrial fans, sold through consumer e-commerce, enterprise field sales and OEM partnerships. The company operates three production-linked facilities in Germany, China and France with nearly 400 employees and 20+ years of continuous presence in the water cooling industry.
Product overview
Alphacool offers a comprehensive water cooling product portfolio organized into two main consumer-facing sub-brands (CORE and APEX) and an enterprise server solutions division (ES). The CORE line targets gaming and enthusiast desktop PC users, offering premium CPU coolers (Core 1, Core 2 Aurora AIO), GPU coolers, radiators (XT45 Aurora Copper), reservoirs (Tube, Flat, standard), and distro plates. The APEX line represents the premium/high-end enthusiast segment featuring products like the Apex Stealth Metal Aurora fans. The ES (Enterprise Solutions) division serves B2B/server markets with specialized products including 1U/2U/4U server racks, ES CPU coolers (including the compact ES 1 1U), ES GPU blocks for cards like the Geforce RTX 4090, COPPERcore™ all-copper radiators, industrial fans (400-10,000 RPM), modular pumps, and distribution plates. All divisions share Alphacool's core water cooling technology including their proprietary 3D jetplate, cross-slot base, and COPPERcore™ copper construction. The company also provides OEM manufacturing services and professional custom cooling solutions for various industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CORE: Product line focused on high-performance desktop water cooling components including CPU coolers, GPU coolers, radiators, and reservoirs for gaming and enthusiast markets.
- APEX
- COPPERcore
Products and services
- Core 1 CPU Cooler CPU cooler featuring a proven cross-slot base and new 3D Jetplate technology, specially optimized for the latest Intel and AMD processors, for enthusiast/custom water cooling desktop PC builds.
- Core GPU Cooler Full-coverage GPU water coolers covering a vast range of PCBs, milled from a single piece of copper with chrome plating, marketed for high quality, outstanding performance, and uniform functional design in enthusiast desktops.
- Core 2 Aurora CPU AIO All-in-one liquid CPU cooler, successor to the Eisbaer generation, with solid aluminum housing, full copper radiator, quick-release fasteners for AIO expansion, and a newly engineered pump, for desktop PC users who want a closed-loop CPU solution.
- Core XT45 Aurora Copper Radiator Radiator with discreet aRGB LED lighting on side panels, recessed ports flush with the surface, and full copper cooling fins, channels and pre-chambers, for enthusiast custom water loops.
- Core 2 Tube Reservoir Glass-built reservoir with sleek design, robust construction, ample capacity, efficient coolant circulation, and Aurora lighting as standard, for custom water cooling loops.
- Core Flat Reservoir Compact reservoir with aRGB lighting and flat design featuring 5 connections for flexible use in small cases (SFF builds).
- Core Reservoir Reservoir available in 120mm and 140mm sizes, with or without D5/VPP pump, made entirely of acrylic, designed for SFF builds.
- Apex Stealth Metal Aurora Fan High-end metal fan with Aurora RGB lighting, available in three finishes with prices ranging from €24.98 to €26.98, designed for premium custom water cooling loops.
- Core Distro Plate (V1) Distribution plate combining reservoir and pump functionality, paired with the VPP Apex pump, for performance-driven custom water-cooling systems where both CPU and graphics cards require simultaneous cooling.
- Core Distro Plate V2 Redesigned distribution plate for custom liquid cooling loops, integrating reservoir and pump with the VPP Apex pump, VPP/D5/DDC compatibility, integrated drain port, and clear acrylic construction. Available in 240mm (€249.98) and 360mm (€279.98) sizes.
- ES Server Racks Water-cooling-ready server racks available in 1U, 2U and 4U formats with gear to equip them for all server case sizes, for enterprise customers deploying liquid cooling in datacenters and high-performance computing.
- ES CPU Cooler Performance-oriented, flow-optimized CPU water blocks (Jet and Stream series) for powerful processors in server and workstation systems, with stated dissipation capability of up to 800 watts.
- ES 1 1U CPU Cooler Compact CPU cooler combining a flat profile design with 3D jetplate and cross slot technology for optimal server system cooling in 1U form factors.
- ES GPU Blocks Space-saving 1-slot GPU water coolers, including the Alphacool ES Geforce RTX 4090 reference design with backplate, with 450W power draw handling capability for dense computational server racks.
- ES Radiators (COPPERcore™) All-copper enterprise radiators (end chambers, water channels and cooling fins all in copper) including Monsta 120, Monsta 140, Aluminum T27, HPE X-Flow, and UT60 series, for server and workstation cooling.
- ES Fans Industrial fans delivering 400 to 10,000 RPM for extreme airflow and static pressure in servers and workstations, with 4-pin PWM control.
- ES Pumps Robust modular pumps with spherical bearing or ceramic axle, compatible with various tops and reservoirs, for server water cooling loops.
- ES Distribution Plates Distribution solutions for enterprise cooling systems with extensive mounting and connection options, compatible with quick-release fasteners for easy component exchange.
- OEM Custom-Branded Water Cooling Manufacturing Custom-designed and manufactured water cooling products under partner brands including AMD, MSI, Sapphire, Erazer, iChill, Medion and ASUS. Includes collaboration to bring well-designed AIO units for low-end pre-built computers to market (Medion).
- Professional Services (Enterprise Cooling) Technical consultation, custom design, 3D visualization (via online configurator and 3D Viewer), optimization services and support for enterprise customers building custom liquid cooling deployments (servers, workstations, industrial electronics).
- Water Cooling Components (Complete Portfolio) Full range of water cooling products and accessories — including CPU coolers, GPU coolers, radiators, pumps, reservoirs, distribution plates, fans and fittings — for building custom water cooling systems across consumer desktops, workstations and servers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 20% power consumption reduction with water cooling vs air cooling
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Alphacool
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Alphacool technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature6 records
Alphacool partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- ZARM (Zentrum für Angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie und Mikrogravitation)minorResearch partnership for drop tower applications. Alphacool components used in drop tower research, withstand deceleration forces of 30-50g after 4.7-second free fall.
- ams-OSRAM GroupcoreCollaboration on optical solutions cooling for consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare and industrial range. Alphacool provides cooling technology for precision optics.
- Deutsche Bahn AGcoreSensors4Rail project collaboration. Alphacool provided innovative cooling solutions for digital rail systems.
- Thomas-Krenn AGcoreServer cooling solutions partnership. Thomas-Krenn provides sample components and 3D data for test set-ups.
- Unleash Future Boats GmbHminorCollaboration on ZeroEmission Maritime Solutions and Fully Autonomous Boats. Cooling for internal electronics with waste heat reuse concept development.
- Wingtra AGcoreWorld's leading manufacturer of VTOL drones for surveying and mining. Alphacool cools electronic inner workings to increase reliability and lifetime.
- QualcommcoreEnterprise server cooling solutions provider for semiconductor industry computing needs.
- InoNet Computer GmbHcoreHigh-performance computer cooling solutions. Collaboration to offer innovative cooling for market with short innovation cycles.
- SECO Northern Europe GmbHminorProduct testing and evaluation. Alphacool products used in customer applications with professional support.
- InWin Development Inc.coreDigital development partnership with technical support. Fast reaction time and comprehensive product range.
- Newcraft Lda. (Dusk Motors)minorDigital product collaboration for motorsport applications. Speed up development with Alphacool coolers to fittings.
- Alva Motor Solutions GmbHcoreThermal pads for drone motors. Alphacool products perfectly complement motor solutions with excellent customer service.
- SPINOGY GmbHminorRadiator optimization for specific applications. Personal contact and support throughout development project.
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)coreAerospace and space technology cooling applications.
- SupermicrocoreServer and workstation cooling solutions for enterprise computing.
- COLORFUL GRP - Shenzhen Xueyushi TechnologycoreGPU cooling for Colorful graphics cards. Partnership to offer exceptional PC experience with joint innovation.
- Fraunhofer SocietycoreResearch institution partnership for cooling technology development.
- Leibniz University HannoverminorUniversity research cooling applications.
- University Hospital HeidelbergcoreMedical technology computing cooling for healthcare applications.
- Cloud&HeatminorDatacenter cooling solutions using waste heat recovery.
- Bürklin GmbH & Co. KGminorDistributor of Alphacool products.
- Wavemed SRLminorMedical equipment cooling with up to 20% power consumption savings reported.
- Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck SocietyminorResearch institution cooling for scientific computing.
- AMDcoreOEM partnership for custom-branded water cooling products under AMD brand.
- MSI (Micro-Star International)coreOEM partnership for custom-branded GPU cooling solutions.
- Sapphire TechnologycoreOEM partnership for custom-branded GPU cooling products.
- ErazercoreOEM partnership for gaming PC cooling solutions.
- iChillcoreOEM partnership for iChill branded GPU cooling products.
- Medion AGcoreCollaboration to bring well-designed, built and high-performing AIO for low-end pre-built computers to market.
- ASUScoreEnterprise cooling solutions partnership for ASUS products.
- ASUSTeK Computer Inc.coreEnterprise cooling solutions for ASUS computing products.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Alphacool competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EK Water Blocks (EKWB): Slovenia-based direct competitor in custom PC water cooling components (CPU blocks, GPU blocks, radiators, pumps, reservoirs). Closely comparable product portfolio, target customer (enthusiasts and modders), and custom-loop distribution model.
- Corsair Gaming: US-based PC peripherals and components company with a Hydro X custom water cooling line alongside AIOs. Directly comparable on enthusiast/custom cooling products and broader PC builder ecosystem.
- NZXT: PC cases, cooling, and pre-built systems company whose Kraken AIO line and BLD custom loop services target the same enthusiast and modder segment as Alphacool's CORE and APEX sub-brands.
- Cooler Master: Taiwan-based PC cooling and chassis manufacturer offering AIO liquid coolers, air coolers, and custom-loop components. Competes with Alphacool across both retail cooling products and OEM/embedded partnerships with PC OEMs.
- Aqua Computer: Germany-based specialist in PC water cooling components (CPU/GPU blocks, reservoirs, controllers, pumps). Closely comparable European peer with strong enthusiast following and similar product mix.
- Thermaltake: Taiwan-based PC chassis and cooling company with Pacific and Toughliquid custom-loop and AIO product lines. Overlaps with Alphacool's CORE/APEX consumer line and OEM manufacturing offerings.
- Bitspower: Taiwan-based custom water cooling components manufacturer with comparable product breadth (CPU/GPU blocks, radiators, reservoirs, fittings). Targets the same enthusiast and modder customer base as Alphacool's CORE and APEX lines.
Broad incumbents
- Asetek: Denmark-based liquid cooling specialist supplying OEM partners (HP, Dell, Lenovo, Corsair, NZXT) for both gaming PCs and enterprise/datacenter racks. Adjacent to Alphacool's OEM and ES server divisions but with a stronger OEM licensing and broader enterprise footprint.
- Boyd (formerly Aavid): Global thermal management provider offering heat exchangers, liquid cooling, and cold plates for industrial, aerospace, and computing customers. Overlaps with Alphacool's industrial cooling use cases (aerospace, medical, rail) at a broader industrial scale.
Emerging players
- Iceotope Technologies: UK-based precision liquid cooling provider focused on hyperscale and edge datacenters. Competes for the same AI/HPC liquid cooling opportunity that Alphacool's ES server line is targeting, with a more datacenter-native product set.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Alphacool social profiles
Digital presenceAlphacool compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Alphacool financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alphacool leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Alphacool funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alphacool M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alphacool
What does Alphacool do?
Alphacool designs, develops and manufactures water cooling components and complete liquid cooling systems for desktop PCs, workstations and servers. Its product portfolio spans CPU coolers, GPU coolers, full copper radiators (COPPERcore™), reservoirs, distribution plates, pumps and industrial fans, sold through consumer e-commerce, enterprise field sales and OEM partnerships. The company operates three production-linked facilities in Germany, China and France with nearly 400 employees and 20+ years of continuous presence in the water cooling industry.
Is Alphacool a public or private company?
Alphacool is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Alphacool founded?
Alphacool was founded in 2003. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Alphacool based?
Alphacool is headquartered in Brunswick, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Alphacool make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. B2C Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are B2B Enterprise Solutions, OEM Manufacturing and professional Services.
Who are Alphacool's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EK Water Blocks (EKWB), Corsair Gaming, NZXT, Cooler Master, Aqua Computer, Thermaltake and Bitspower. Broad incumbents are Asetek and Boyd (formerly Aavid). Iceotope Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does Alphacool have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alphacool.
What industry is Alphacool in?
Alphacool's product category is Computer Water Cooling Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACAGAF, Cooling & Thermal Solutions (Air/Liquid, fans, thermal paste), with a secondary code of HDACAOAI, HPC Cooling, Power & Infrastructure (Liquid Cooling, Racks, Power Delivery). Its NAICS code is 33341 and its SIC code is 3585.