SilentiumPC Fera 3 – A new test of an older classics

Key features

The SilentiumPC Fera 3 cooler probably doesn’t need to be introduced. This popular cooler is often installed in computer builds, where favorable price-performance ratio is a big deal. It also presents direct competition for the recently tested Freezer 34 from Arctic. In addition, I plan to supplement this pair soon with a test of the recently released 212 Evo V2 cooler from Cooler Master, and I will also add Windale 4 from FSP.

Key features of the cooler

In terms of construction, the SilentiumPC Fera 3 is very similar to most coolers in this category. That is, one dense bundle of aluminum fins connected by four copper heatpipes. These heatpipes use direct contact with the processor’s heat spreader (IHS). SilentiumPC refers to this design as HE (high efficiency). The entire heatsink is cooled by one 120 mm fan. You won’t find a single RGB element on the entire cooler or fan. The whole design is purely functional, except for the uppermost fin, which has a matte black finish. In the middle of this fin is also an inconspicuous manufacturer’s logo and the ends of the heatpipes are finished with black caps. The attaching of the fan is performed by means of classic clips, which are clipped to the grooves in the fins on the sides of the heatsink. After installation in the computer case, the heatsink is not disturbing and fits seamlessly into any color scheme.

The contents of the packaging will probably not surprise you with anything. Here you will find mounting systems for both Intel and AMD processor sockets, as well as another set of clips for the second fan if you’d like to use a push-pull configuration. Of course, there is also a tube of thermal paste and a brief user manual with installation instructions.

The mounting of the cooler could be a bit easier. I would quite appreciate integrated spring screws here. The pair of screws that fasten the heatsink to the retention arms of the mounting system is relatively short. It is thus not that easy to hold the heatsink in position with one hand and tighten the screw with the other hand, to which you must also apply more pressure to reach the thread in the arm at all. There is certainly space for improvement of the whole system. Therefore, I recommend attaching the cooler to the processor socket ideally outside the case with the motherboard in a horizontal position.

Cooler and fan specs

SilentiumPC Fera 3 does not deviate in any way from its class with its dimension. It is a compact cooler with an asymmetrical design, which fits easily into most cases and at the same time should not interfere with the high heatsinks of the RAM modules. You can install the cooler on all motherboards with sockets for current Intel and AMD processors, except, of course, the TR4/sTR4 sockets.

Unfortunately, SilentiumPC does not provide much information about the fan used. It is a 120 mm fan with a standard width of 25 mm with PWM regulation. The value of the maximum air flow is rather below average, but unfortunately I have not been able to find the value of static pressure anywhere, which is usually more important for coolers than the airflow itself. So we will see in the tests, which is more telling than the paper value.

• Contents
• Key features
• Testing methodology and test results
• Conclusion and rating