The Fortis 3 from SilentiumPC and its more expensive Malik Customs Edition sibling are solid budget air coolers, offering strong performance for their price. They also make a good impression due to their perfect memory clearance on mainstream sockets, and neither block off the first motherboard-expansion slot, which makes them options for some mini-ITX systems. Those who can't stand loud coolers will be happy to know that SilentiumPC has kept them quiet as can be with a maximum noise level of just 40 dBA at a distance of 30 cm / 12 inches. The Fortis 3 is only $35 while its Malik Customs Edition derivative is $45, making both options affordable as well. If you need more performance, both come with extra fan clips for dual-fan configurations.

Overall, there is a lot to like about these offers from Silentium PC, but a few issues are apparent. First, there is the lack of availability. While SilentiumPC has made inroads into Europe, their products are still not available in the United States. The Malik Customs Edition is also a limited run, which is sad because it would be the best of both worlds if marketed at $40. The packaging is better than some I have seen, but I am not a fan of plastic shells. I would much rather see foam surround these products. Still, it is one way to keep costs in check, so while I may not be a fan, it is not an awful choice by any means. Finally, the $10 price hike for some nickel-plating, heatpipe caps, and interchangeable top plates is a bit steep.

In all honesty, I do like the Fortis 3 in both forms, but it would be a much more compelling cooler if the Malik Customs Edition were the default and if it were made available for around $40. At that price point, you'd get a better all-around product because it is customizable. That said, the Fortis 3 HE1425 is still a solid cooler, and it is far from ugly in terms of appearance. The black top plate means it will fit in with most systems, and if you are looking for something better than a typical single-tower cooler with a 120 mm fan, the Fortis 3 definitely does offer that little bit of extra punch.

SilentiumPC's Fortis 3 HE1425 is ultimately a no-frills single-tower heatsink that offers users a budget option that stands above current favorites as it exhibits exceptional performance, low noise levels, and solid build quality with the option for something more in the Malik Customs Edition.