SilentiumPC has done an exceptional job with the Fera 2 HE1224. Compare it to high-end coolers and it won't blow your mind with its generic appearance or performance, but that is not what its purpose. The Fera 2 HE1224 is about offering affordable performance, which it delivers in spades. It does exceptionally well for its price, beating out nearly every other option available. Granted, performance on a stock system was a bit underwhelming, but it did exceptionally well during the overclocked tests. Lets not forget memory clearance - the fact that its users can use just about any memory kit they like is something most tower coolers fail to offer. The fact that this cooler is quiet is a nice bonus as well, and a surprise. Due to its extremely affordable MSRP of $24, I figured the fan would be sub par, but I was glad to be proven wrong. SilentiumPC even went so far as to include an extra set of fan clips in the box, so dual-fan configurations are good to go. Their Zephyr 120 mm PWM fan only has an MSRP of $5, which, considering a total cost of $29 and the performance it offers, makes the Fera 2 HE1224 a cooler of exceptional value.

However, improvements can be made. Performance on my test system was lackluster at stock, and it wasn't until an overclock was applied that the Fera 2 HE1224 managed to shine. The cooler's generic appearance doesn't help either, and a nice top plate with a logo could have added some much needed flair the cooler needs to stand out against the competition. The big issue is the lack of availability, though. This CPU cooler is only available in select regions, primarily Poland. That said, SilentiumPC is looking to expand very soon, which may rectify this issue in the near future.

The only other thought I have is that a dual-fan configuration on the Fera 2 HE1224 is a great idea because it improves performance nicely without increasing noise levels significantly. The MSRP of the cooler and the affordability of the Zephyr fan makes adding another fan a great option, though whether the MSRP will be what users actually end up paying remains to be seen. Overall, I myself am impressed by what this cooler can do for its price.

The Fera 2 HE1224 by SilentiumPC is ultimately a no-frills heatsink that offers decent performance at low noise levels and an extremely affordable price. Also offering some headroom for overclocking, it is, simply put, an effective replacement for that stock cooler in most systems.