SilentiumPC Fera 3 RGB – Colorful evolution of a proven classic

Key features

The recently tested SilentiumPC Fera 3 cooler did not do badly in our tests, but it was a bit noisy. Today we will look at a cooler from the same family, i.e. SilentiumPC Fera 3 RGB. As the name suggests, this cooler offers RGB backlighting. In addition, the entire heatsink is a few millimeters lower and a different fan is also used. I just hope that these differences will not have a negative effect under stress tests.

Key features of the cooler

In terms of architecture, the SilentiumPC Fera 3 RGB is very similar to its little brother without RGB. As with the non-RGB variant, the cooler is based on four copper heatpipes intersecting a bundle of aluminum fins. Heatpipes use direct contact with the processor’s heat spreader, which SilentiumPC refers to by the suffix HE (high efficiency) in the full name of the cooler. The entire heatsink is then cooled by a 120 mm fan with RGB LED.

The overall width and depth of the fin bundle remained the same, differing only in the overall height of the cooler by a few millimeters. The Fera 3 RGB thus falls into the category of coolers with a height of less than 150 mm, which increases the number of compatible cases. I myself used it for an SFF PC in the Streacom DA2 case, where it fit like perfectly. Where the Fera 3 RGB also differs from its older type is the design of the upper surface of the cooler. The upper fin and the ends of the heatpipes are covered by a milky white diffuser, under which RGB LEDs are hidden. This diffuser then has a black cover with a cutout of the manufacturer’s logo and several other aesthetic elements that allow the RGB LED to shine through.

The unit is visually very attractive and it is quite a pity that this method of backlighting is not used by more manufacturers. Backlight cables allow serial connection, which eliminates the need for hubs and simplifies cabling. The mounting of the fan is performed in the same way as with the Fera 3, i.e. by means of metal clips, which are slid in the grooves in the fins on the sides of the heatsink.

The cooler accessories are no surprise. Here you will find a universal mounting system for both Intel and AMD processor sockets, as well as another set of clips for the second fan if you would like to use a push-pull configuration. A small package of thermal paste (Pactum PT-2) and a brief user manual with installation instructions are also not missing. In addition, you will find a Nano-reset RGB controller here if you do not want or cannot connect a 4 pin cable from the RGB backlight to your motherboard. You simply connect this controller using a 2-pin cable from the Reset button in your case. The Reset button then switches the RGB backlight modes without any software.

The cooler’s mounting system is identical to the non-backlit version. So all the reservations I mentioned in the review of SilentiumPC Fera 3 still apply. Thus, the absence of integrated screws with a spring to attach the heatsink to the mounting system. The pair of screws used is quite short. It is not so easy to hold the heatsink in position and at the same time tighten the screw, on which you have to apply more pressure to reach the thread at all. Therefore, I still recommend mounting this cooler ideally outside the case with the motherboard in a horizontal position.

Specs of the cooler and fans

SilentiumPC Fera 3 RGB is very similar in size to the non-RGB version, differing only in overall height. The Fera 3 RGB with its height below 150 mm will be compatible with most common ATX cases. And like the non-RGB variant, this cooler offers an offset design. Therefore, there is no conflict with high heatsinks on RAM modules. You can mount the cooler on all motherboards with sockets for current Intel and AMD processors, except, of course, TR4/sTR4 sockets.

Unfortunately, SilentiumPC provides only a minimum of information about the fan used. It is a 120 mm fan with a standard width of 25 mm with PWM regulation. RGB backlighting is provided by a standard 4-pin connector, you will not find any proprietary inconveniences here.

The recently tested SilentiumPC Fera 3 cooler did not do badly in our tests, but it was a bit noisy. Today we will look at a cooler from the same family, i.e. SilentiumPC Fera 3 RGB. As the name suggests, this cooler offers RGB backlighting. In addition, the entire heatsink is a few millimeters lower and a different fan is also used. I just hope that these differences will not have a negative effect under stress tests.

Testing methodology

The Intel Core i7-5820K in the ASRock X99 Taichi motherboard serves as a heat generator. The whole build is placed on the Streacom BC1 benchtable 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 clock speed of 4200 MHz with a voltage of 1.150 V. This is followed by another set of tests at 4,500 MHz with a voltage of 1.350 V. The processor power draw at these frequencies is about 150 W or approx. 200 W. The second set of tests represents a heavy load for most coolers. Therefore, not all tested coolers can be expected to be able to cool the processor at all speed levels.

Noise is measured using a calibrated Voltcraft SL-100 digital sound level meter in fast measurement mode (125 ms) with a sensitivity range of 30–100 dBA approx. 50 cm from the cooler. Measurements take place at three fan speed levels, namely 800, 1,200 and maximum. Speed control is provided by the Noctua NA-FC1 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 a load 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 recently tested SilentiumPC Fera 3 cooler did not do badly in our tests, but it was a bit noisy. Today we will look at a cooler from the same family, i.e. SilentiumPC Fera 3 RGB. As the name suggests, this cooler offers RGB backlighting. In addition, the entire heatsink is a few millimeters lower and a different fan is also used. I just hope that these differences will not have a negative effect under stress tests.

Conclusion and rating

The SilentiumPC Fera 3 RGB successfully carries on where the Fera 3 ends and adds a few minor improvements. The most fundamental improvement is the use of a significantly quieter fan. However, this also leads to a slight rise in temperature. The RGB backlight is very nicely done for this cooler. With a backlit upper heatsink surface and a fan, this cooler becomes the visual centerpiece of your entire rig.

The assembly system remained the same as for the Fera 3, so my reservations about it apply, too. Unfortunately, the overall price of the cooler has also increased, which pushes it away from the interesting price/performance ratio offered by the non-RGB version. However, the Fera 3 RGB still remains a good choice for all PC builds, where some extra charge for the design-attractive processing of the cooler does not matter.

English translation and edit by Lukáš Terényi

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