10 Considerations for Implementing Direct Liquid Cooling in Data Centers

Effective cooling solutions are essential for data centers to keep up with the rapidly evolving world of computing. As computing power continues to increase and construction costs rise, data centers must be aware of their options for efficient cooling, including Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC).

The growing demand for high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and research workloads, has led to an increased interest in DLC as a cooling solution. Major server manufacturers now offer DLC server options, driving its rapid adoption.

To determine if DLC is right for your data center, it is important to understand its benefits. Here are the top 10 considerations for Direct Liquid Cooling in data centers.

1. Energy efficiency – DLC uses warm water for cooling, reducing energy consumption compared to air cooling and conditioning, which requires substantial amounts of electricity. Lower energy bills, combined with low maintenance and high reliability, result in lower ongoing costs for the data center.
2. Performance – DLC provides consistent and precise cooling, eliminating hot spots and thermal shutdown often experienced with air cooling and ensuring the smooth operation of high-performance chips.
3. Density – DLC allows data centers to increase computing power per square foot by providing cooling beyond 100 kW per rack, compared to air-cooled data centers which typically max out at 20-30 kW per rack.
4. Serviceability – DLC is easy to maintain, with server-level components such as CPU and DIMMs being easily accessible. Blind-mate liquid connectors are also available for quick and hassle-free installation.
5. Decreased sound – DLC creates a quieter data center environment, reducing the noise from thousands of running server fans.
6. Heat re-use – DLC provides an opportunity for energy-efficient facilities to use the outgoing heated liquid from servers to heat the building, further reducing utility costs.
7. Use of existing infrastructure – DLC can be connected to existing plumbing networks in facilities with In-row or Rear Door Heat Exchangers, unlike Immersion technology which requires custom horizontal tanks and proprietary fluids.
8. Communication – DLC can be integrated with existing Building Management Systems (BMS) networks through Modbus, SNMP, or Web interfaces, and can operate autonomously when paired with an intelligent Coolant Distribution Unit.
9. Compatibility with air cooling – DLC can be used in parallel with air cooling, allowing data centers to utilize existing air-cooling infrastructure while maximizing rack density, making it an attractive option for data centers exploring DLC for the first time.
10. Availability – Major server OEMs including HPE, Dell EMC, Intel, and Gigabyte offer DLC servers with factory warranties, providing peace of mind for customers.

Maximize your data center’s potential by choosing the right cooling solution that will help your data center keep up with the fast-paced world of computing and reduce costs over time. Reach out to CoolIT Systems at www.coolitsystems.com to learn more about our liquid cooling solutions.