February 19, 2025
As AI applications drive the growing demand for high performance computing, servers are packing more processing power to handle increasingly complex and data-intensive tasks. This increased power results in higher heat generation, pushing the limits of traditional air cooling, especially in high-density rack environments.
Liquid cooling has become a critical requirement for modern data centers. Nearly one in five data centers (17%) already use liquid cooling, and an additional 61% of operations teams are considering its implementation. This trend reflects the industry's confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of liquid cooling in managing heat from high-density IT racks.
However, integrating liquid cooling into existing systems can be a complex process. Since liquid cooling is a relatively new addition to the data center cooling landscape, overcoming the hurdles of this transition remains a challenge.
Explore the advantages of liquid cooling, key considerations for successful implementation, and available services to help you navigate the complexities of adding this technology into your data center cooling strategy.
Advantages of liquid cooling
1. Enhanced heat dissipation - Liquid cooling utilizes the higher thermal transfer capabilities of water or other fluids, which can be up to 3,000 times more effective than using air, to efficiently cool high-density racks. While it may require higher upfront costs, its ability to reduce energy consumption and extend equipment lifespan makes it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
2. Improved IT reliability and performance - Liquid cooling systems allow densely packed systems to operate at higher voltages and clock frequencies by efficiently dissipating heat, which helps maintain optimal thermal conditions.
3. Energy efficiency - Liquid cooling lowers power usage effectiveness (PUE), and enables efficient heat repurposing for building heating systems.
4. Reduced footprint - Liquid cooling also maximizes space utilization by enabling higher density within the same physical footprint. By efficiently managing heat, liquid cooling reduces the need for facility expansions, making it a valuable solution for data centers.
5. Lower TCO - Liquid cooling can lower the total cost of ownership (TCO) through higher density, increased use of free cooling, and improved performance per watt, according to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).