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.

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.

Testing methodology

The testing methodology is still the same due to consistency and comparability of results. The Intel Core i7-5820K in the ASRock X99 Taichi motherboard serves as a heat generator. The whole setup is placed on a Streacom BC1 workbench without fans that would provide airflow. Stress tests are performed using the Aida64 Extreme application with a duration of 45–60 minutes. Coolers are tested at three speed levels (800, 1200 and maximum) at a processor frequency of 4200 MHz with a voltage of 1.150 V. This is followed by another series of tests at 4500 MHz with a voltage of 1.350 V. Processor power draw at these frequencies is approx. 200 W. The second set of tests is already a really big burden for most coolers. Therefore, it cannot be expected that all tested coolers will be able to cool the processor at all speed levels.

Noise is measured using a calibrated Voltcraft SL-100 sound level meter in fast measurement mode (125 ms) with a sensitivity range of 30–100 dBA approx. 50 cm from the cooler. Measurements are performed at three fan speed levels, namely 800, 1200 and maximum. Speed control is provided by the Noctua NA-FC1 fan controller. The ambient noise level is below 33.0 dBA. At the end of the test, the highest temperature reached is always noted down. All data regarding temperatures and power draw of the processor are obtained from the HWiNFO64 application. The results are then corrected for ambient temperature as the final Delta T value. The test success limit is set at 80 °C. Any higher value means a processor temperature above 100 °C and a risk of thermal throttling. Therefore, if the cooler does not pass the stress test with a Delta T value below 80 °C, such a test is marked as failed.

Test results

It can already be seen here that a high amount of waste heat in combination with low speeds means that most coolers are not able to prevent the processor from overheating and subsequent throttling. This is not unexpected, it is simply the physical limit of the cooler and does not mean that the cooler is of poor quality.

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.

Conclusion and rating

SilentiumPC Fera 3 is simply an excellent cooler in its class. I was a little surprised by the temperature difference between the Fera and the recently tested Arctic Freezer 34 cooler, I expected a closer result. Unfortunately, this difference is achieved at the cost of a noisier fan in the Fera 3.

In addition, the used Sigma Pro 120 PWM fan emits an unpleasant high-frequency buzz at higher rpm. So I supplemented the standard tests with another set, where I combined the Fera 3 heatsink with the Arctic P12 PST PWM fan. The sound of this build was suddenly much more pleasant without leading to an excessive rise in temperature.

It would also not be a bad idea for the engineers at SilentiumPC to develop a slightly more user-friendly mounting system that would make use of integrated spring screws. But given the selling price, these are only minor flaws. Overall, this is a very solid product and in terms of price/performance ratio it will be very difficult to find an alternative.

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