Nvidia is introducing an unconventional method of using hot water for information center cooling in its new generation Rubin architecture servers. The coolant used in this system enters the system at around 45 degrees and exits at 55 degrees.

Using hot water allows heat transfer to occur efficiently, as the server chips operate at a higher temperature than the cooler. This design works with a closed-circuit system that aims to reduce water consumption in data centers to almost zero.

An era of high efficiency in data centers

Nvidia’s DSX reference design provides significant savings in power costs by reducing the need for cooling industrial facilities. It is estimated that in a 50 megawatt facility, over 4 million dollars in power and water cost savings can be achieved annually with this technique.

The system uses a special coolant consisting of a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part propylene glycol. This approach eliminates server fans completely and enables cooling units to operate with much lower power consumption.

Nvidia’s method actually arises from a necessity that arises from the insufficient air cooling due to the high power density of the chips. The company makes liquid cooling a platform feature, enclosing all components in a closed loop.

IBM implemented a similar technology 16 years ago by using a 60-degree cooler in its prototype superior computer at ETH Zurich. Nvidia, on the other hand, scales this method by spreading it across an entire facility instead of a single machine.

DSX stands out as a reference design that sets industrial standards and aims to reduce the environmental impact of information centers. Today, when cooling costs reach 40 percent of the total power bill, this technology is seen as a critical step in terms of sustainability.

What do you think about this new cooling strategy from Nvidia?