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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Only in a limited sense. Thermaltake’s DuOrb cooled a Radeon X1950XTX well for its era, but turning up its two fans barely lowered GPU temperature: in one 2008 test, the card ran at 77°C at 5 V and 75°C at 12 V, while measured noise rose from 18 to 31 dBA. The dual-orb layout was chiefly a way to package cooling around older graphics-card boards—not a decisive thermal breakthrough.
What the Thermaltake DuOrb was designed to do
The DuOrb was a copper aftermarket graphics-card cooler built around two small radial heatsinks, each served by a fan. Two 6-mm heatpipes connected the copper base to the fins. Thermaltake’s split design aimed to spread airflow around a centrally positioned GPU while keeping each cooler section relatively narrow, a useful packaging idea in systems where a large single cooler could crowd motherboard slots.
It also included small heatsinks for memory and voltage-regulation components. Those accessories matter because a GPU-core temperature alone cannot show whether the rest of a graphics card is being cooled adequately. The DuOrb’s design was distinctive, but the underlying question is whether two fans and two heatsink sections could turn extra airflow into meaningfully better cooling. In the test evidence, they did not do so consistently.
Silent PC Review identified the model as CL-G0102 in its product table but as GL-C0102 in its pros-and-cons section, so the model-number discrepancy is present in the original review. Its listed market price was about US$35 in July 2008; that is historical pricing, not a guide to today’s used-market value. Silent PC Review’s DuOrb review is the source for the specifications, test results, and period comparisons below.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible Sockets - Intel LGA 2066/2011-3/2011/1700/1200/1156/1155/1151/1150 and AMD AM5/AM4/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/FM2/FM1
- Sync with Motherboard RGB Software : Designed to synchronize with ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome.
- Keep it COLD with Copper : The high-performance copper base plate accelerates heat conductivity. The reliable pump enables maximum water circulation, keeping the copper plate continuously cool.
- New Version, New Design : TH V2 ARGB was given an industrial look to freshen up the 360-degree rotational cap. Infinity Mirror Lighting can bring more diverse visual effects to the build.
- 2 Year Warranty
Specifications and historically listed compatibility
The following are historical manufacturer specifications reproduced in the review, not a guarantee of the condition or performance of a surviving unit.
| Specification | Reported value |
|---|---|
| Model in product table | CL-G0102 |
| Dimensions | 180.5 × 98.5 × 30 mm |
| Construction | Copper base and copper fins |
| Heatpipes | Two, 6 mm each |
| Fans | Two 80 × 15 mm fans |
| Rated voltage and starting voltage | 12 V; 7 V starting voltage |
| Rated fan speed | 2,500 RPM |
| Maximum airflow and air pressure | 23.8 CFM; 2.9 mmH₂O |
| Claimed fan life | 50,000 hours, an original manufacturer rating |
| Connector | Four-pin peripheral/Molex |
| Weight and lighting | 324 g; six blue LEDs |
| Expansion-space use in the cited test | One additional slot |
The historical product information listed these graphics cards:
- NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT; 8800 GT, GTS, GTX, and Ultra; 7900 GTX; 7800 GT and GTX; 6800 GS and GT.
- ATI Radeon X1950 Pro, XT, and XTX; X1900 GT, XT, and XTX; X1800 GTO, XL, and XT; HD 3870.
That list is a starting point for identifying intended-era cards, not a universal compatibility guarantee. Mounting-hole spacing, GPU position, component height, PCB layout, and nearby motherboard or case obstructions all affect fit. A one-slot-overhang measurement in a particular test does not mean the cooler fits every motherboard or leaves every neighboring slot usable.
What the temperature and noise test actually found
Silent PC Review tested the DuOrb on an ATI Radeon X1950XTX in a system with an Intel Pentium D 930, an AOpen i945Ga-PHS motherboard, an Antec P180B case, and a Seasonic S12-600 power supply. The test used ATI Tool 0.26 artifact scanning, CPUBurn, SpeedFan 4.33, calibrated sound-level equipment, approximately 25°C ambient temperature, and approximately 14 dBA ambient noise. The load figures below are reported GPU temperatures during combined CPU/GPU load; they are results from that particular legacy setup, not predictions for other cards.
| Test condition | Fan speed | Measured system noise | GPU temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idle, 5 V | About 1,200 RPM | 18 dBA | 45°C |
| CPU load, 5 V | About 1,200 RPM | 18 dBA | 48°C |
| Combined CPU/GPU load, 5 V | About 1,200 RPM | 18 dBA | 77°C |
| Combined load, 7 V | About 1,510 RPM | 22 dBA | 77°C |
| Combined load, 9 V | About 1,890 RPM | 26 dBA | 76°C |
| Combined load, 12 V | About 2,580 RPM | 31 dBA | 75°C |
The standout result is the small thermal change compared with the noise increase. From 5 V to 12 V, the GPU temperature improved by about 2°C, while measured system noise rose by 13 dBA. The reviewer attributed the weak temperature scaling to the two-heatpipe design’s thermal limit and turbulence where the fans’ air streams interacted. In practical terms, the second fan did not deliver a proportionate cooling gain as speed increased.
The DuOrb was judged acoustically poor at 12 V, with high-pitched turbulence and buzzing. At the lowest tested voltage it was nearly inaudible inside the case, but the test does not prove that every compatible card can safely run at 5 V. Higher ambient temperature, poor case airflow, dust, overclocking, or a hotter card can change the result. The cooler had no supplied fan controller, so quieter operation required a separate way to reduce fan voltage or speed.
Rank #2
- 【TH V3】Adding on to the TH Series of coolers the V3 line up adds new features like rotatable pump heads for optimal display, single frame fans that not only perform but also are easy to maintain, and to top it off a 3.95" TFT LCD display to show off custom graphics and images.
- 【Simple Design, Single Frame】Configured to use a single housing for three 120mm PWM fans capable of 500~2500rpm, resulting in up to 85.29 CFM of airflow and 3.86mm-H2O of static pressure per fan.
- 【Easy Orientation Pump Head】No matter the layout of your build whether it be AMD or Intel, Horizontal or Vertical getting the perfectangle for the 3.95" TFT LCD display is easy thanks to a detachable and rotatable pump head.
- 【Personalized Display】Show personalized images and graphics along with a variety of real-time system data via the 3.95" TFT LCD display that sits on top of the pump block and controlled by TT LCD Screen software.
- 【Intel/AMD Compatible】Designed for compatibility with Intel LGA 1851/1700/1200/1156/1155/1151/1150/2066/2011-3/2011 as well as AMD AM5/AM4
How it compared with other period coolers
The review compared results for the DuOrb, Zalman VF1000, and Xigmatek Battle-Axe. It noted different ambient conditions and applied a correction to the DuOrb figures, so these are useful period comparisons rather than fully equivalent universal rankings.
| Fan setting | Zalman VF1000 | Thermaltake DuOrb | Xigmatek Battle-Axe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 V | 71°C / 35 dBA | 72°C / 35 dBA | 71°C / 39 dBA |
| 9 V | 73°C / 30 dBA | 73°C / 30 dBA | 70°C / 34 dBA |
| 7 V | 75°C / 26 dBA | 74°C / 25 dBA | 71°C / 26 dBA |
| 5 V | 77°C / 20 dBA | 74°C / 19 dBA | 70°C / 20 dBA |
The DuOrb broadly matched the Zalman VF1000 in the cited comparison; it did not establish a decisive thermal win. The VF1000 used one fan and four heatpipes, but its stronger heatpipe specification did not translate into an obvious advantage in these particular results. The Battle-Axe was a little cooler at the listed settings, but louder at full speed; the reviewer also reported a similar mounting-screw problem with that cooler.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe review also discussed Arctic Cooling’s Accelero S1/S2 passive-heatsink approach. The S1 paired with a Nexus 120-mm fan outperformed the tested field, according to the review, but required more space and a separate fan solution. These are historical alternatives, not verified current purchasing recommendations.
A later dual-fan design illustrates why fan count alone is not enough to judge a cooler. Silent PC Review’s Scythe Musashi follow-up describes larger slim 100-mm fans, included fan control, and different acoustic behavior. It also underscores that a good GPU-core reading can conceal problematic VRM temperatures. Fan size, spacing, airflow path, heat transfer, and cooling coverage all matter alongside the number of fans.
GPU cooling is not the same as memory and VRM cooling
The DuOrb’s core-temperature results do not establish that its supplied memory or VRM heatsinks were adequate. The review described the memory heatsinks as only about 2 mm tall, with very limited fin area, and questioned their usefulness. A cooler may keep the GPU core at a reasonable temperature while leaving memory chips or voltage regulators warmer than they were with the stock cooler.
This is especially important when the original card cooler used a broad plate to contact the GPU, memory, and VRMs together. Replacing it with a GPU-focused cooler can remove that shared contact surface. Before using a DuOrb, check the card’s original cooling arrangement and whether the replacement heatsinks make secure contact with the components that need cooling. The review did not provide a comprehensive DuOrb VRM-temperature data set, so it cannot settle that question for each listed card.
Rank #3
- Compatible Sockets - Intel LGA 2066/2011-3/2011/1700/1200/1156/1155/1151/1150 and AMD AM5/AM4/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2/FM2/FM1
- Sync with Motherboard RGB Software : Designed to synchronize with ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome.
- Keep it COLD with Copper : The high-performance copper base plate accelerates heat conductivity. The reliable pump enables maximum water circulation, keeping the copper plate continuously cool.
- New Version, New Design : TH V2 ARGB was given an industrial look to freshen up the 360-degree rotational cap. Infinity Mirror Lighting can bring more diverse visual effects to the build.
- 2 Year Warranty
Installation: simple in outline, concerning in practice
The reported procedure used clips screwed to the cooler base, four double-sided hex screws through the card’s mounting holes, and barrel-shaped nuts on the rear of the PCB. After applying thermal interface material and mounting the cooler, the installer attached the supplied memory and VRM heatsinks as needed and connected the fans to the included Molex lead.
One mounting screw reportedly snapped inside its nut during the review installation. The reviewer attributed the failure to imprecise machining and binding in the small threads; replacement hardware was unavailable, so the test proceeded with fewer fasteners than intended. Although the reviewer checked the thermal-paste contact and found the cooler acceptably secure for that test, this is not a safe workaround to copy. Uneven mounting pressure can compromise contact or stress the PCB.
Checks before fitting a used unit
- Inspect all screws, nuts, and clips for damage, missing parts, or stripped threads.
- Test-thread each fastener by hand before mounting; never force one that binds.
- Support the graphics card and tighten gradually in a cross pattern. Stop if the cooler rocks, the PCB bends, or a screw begins to twist.
- Use the intended mounting hardware, or source replacements with matching dimensions and thread specifications. Do not deliberately omit fasteners.
- Check the thermal-paste imprint after fitting to confirm contact, then verify that the cooler sits evenly.
- Ensure the original fan connector and all wires are clear of the fan blades.
- Check memory and VRM heatsink placement against the cooler and nearby cards; a loose heatsink can move into a fan or contact exposed components.
What to inspect when buying or reusing a DuOrb
A 2008 review’s reported 50,000-hour fan-life claim is not a condition guarantee for a cooler that has aged for years. Examine the fans and hardware as a present-day used component, not as if it were new.
- Fit: Confirm the exact GPU model, mounting-hole spacing, GPU location, component heights, and clearance to neighboring slots and the case side panel.
- Card cooling: Determine whether the stock cooler also cooled the VRMs or memory, and whether the DuOrb’s small auxiliary heatsinks can provide the needed contact.
- Mechanical condition: Look for missing or bent clips, damaged threads, corrosion, brittle plastic, and loose wiring.
- Fan condition: Check for bearing noise, wobble, difficult starting, or electrical noise. Reduced-voltage operation may expose fan-start problems.
- Thermal materials: Check whether the thermal compound is hardened or contaminated and whether adhesive heatsinks are still firmly attached.
- System conditions: Account for case airflow, dust, room temperature, and intended workload rather than assuming the original test temperature will carry over.
The review measured about 9 mm of clearance below the cooler on its test card and found that sample did not overhang the card. Those measurements describe that installation only; they cannot substitute for checking another PCB, motherboard, or case.
Does the DuOrb make sense today?
Its strongest present-day case is a carefully matched retro build, a historical collection, or a replacement for a failed stock cooler on an older card. The historical compatibility list narrows the search, but does not replace checking the actual board. A generic claim of compatibility with modern graphics cards is unsupported.
For a used unit, compare the acquisition cost plus any replacement hardware and thermal materials against a newer cooler with verified compatibility for the exact card. The approximately US$35 figure in the review was the DuOrb’s listed July 2008 market price, not a current offer or valuation. Thermaltake’s current air-cooling catalog does not surface the DuOrb in its retrieved listing; that absence alone does not prove a formal discontinuation date or establish used availability.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
