Today's data centers must support traditional applications like ERP and deploy infrastructure to perform orders of magnitude more calculations—namely AI and other high-performance computing. Unfortunately, more processing requires more power and generates more heat. As a result, no conversation about AI deployment is complete without discussing power, sustainability, and cooling.
The Rising Tide of Power Consumption
At one time, each server rack consumed around 10 kilowatts (kW) of electricity and relied on air for cooling. However, as applications have grown more complex, so have the CPUs and GPUs that drive them, now able to process more data than ever. When electricity consumption exceeds 50 kW, processors face the risk of overheating, as air cooling cannot effectively dissipate the generated heat.
In the past, cooling was just one of several considerations in the design and operation of data centers. Today, it takes precedence due to power consumption ranging from 120 kW to 200 kW per rack, eight times the power requirements of earlier systems. This dramatic increase in power consumption has driven innovation in cooling technologies, particularly immersion cooling solutions, which offer superior thermal management capabilities.
The Importance of PUE and Compute Density
Due to exponential increases in power consumption and heat production, growing organizations are scrutinizing their power usage effectiveness (PUE) more and more. Simply put, it's the ratio of a data center's total power usage and the power used for processing. A typical target ratio for this metric is 1.2. In other words, for every 1 kW of power used for processing, 0.2 kW is used for cooling and other local operations.
The market reflects this focus on cooling efficiency. MarketsandMarkets™[1] forecasts the global data center liquid cooling market to reach $21.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 27.6%. This growth underscores the industry's shift toward more efficient cooling solutions that support higher compute density while maintaining optimal performance.
The Global Need for Sustainability
As organizations look for ways to become more sustainable, the focus has shifted to solutions that can maximize both performance and energy efficiency. Single-phase immersion cooling has emerged as a leading technology in this space, offering significant power and water efficiency improvements while enabling higher-density deployments in existing data center footprints.
Advanced Cooling Strategy
The evolution of cooling technologies has led to innovative solutions like immersion cooling. This method involves the complete submersion of servers in non-conductive fluid to dissipate heat more effectively than traditional air cooling methods. This approach enhances cooling efficiency, significantly reduces noise, and maximizes density, making it ideal for high-density data centers.
The UNICOM Engineering XE9680-IR
One compelling example of advanced server technology designed for today's AI workloads is UNICOM Engineering's XE9680-IR. This 6U HGX 8-way GPU platform showcases the perfect balance of performance, density, and sustainability through innovative cooling technology. Key specifications and features include:
- Powerful Processing: Supports two 5th Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with up to 64 cores each
- Advanced GPU Configuration: Accommodates eight NVIDIA H100 or H200 700W SXM5 GPUs connected via four NVLink switch chips
- Immersion-Ready Design: Fully validated and tested for immersion cooling environments, ensuring optimal performance and reliability
- Comprehensive Validation: Undergoes rigorous testing for thermal management, signal integrity, and material compatibility specific to immersion cooling
- Flexible Support Options: Standard one-year base warranty with extended coverage options of up to five years
The XE9680-IR is optimized explicitly for the most demanding AI workloads, including Generative AI (GenAI), Large Language Models (LLMs), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL). Its applications span various industries, from diagnostic imaging and predictive analytics to high-frequency trading and seismic mapping.
Transform Your AI Infrastructure with Expert Guidance and Innovation
The race to power next-generation AI applications in data centers has created unique challenges, but solutions like the XE9680-IR prove you can have both outstanding performance and sustainability. At UNICOM Engineering, we go beyond basic system integration – we're your partner in navigating the complexities of advanced computing and cooling innovations. Want to optimize your AI solution? Our approach combines cutting-edge technology with practical engineering expertise to help you push boundaries while maintaining efficiency. From initial design through ongoing support, our global team brings the same engineering excellence that created the XE9680-IR to every project we tackle.
Whether you need help with immersion cooling deployment, custom engineering, full lifecycle support, or all the above, we have the experience to guide you every step of the way. Ready to take your AI solution to the next level? Visit our liquid cooling page to schedule a consultation, and let's discuss how we can accelerate your path to success.
[1] MarketsandMarkets. (2024, August 1). Data Center Liquid Cooling Market worth 21.3 billion by 2030 – Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets [Press Release].