Open cold plates for CPU and GPU, instead of custom proprietary loops for individual servers, allow users to configure direct chip cooling server loops.
What is Direct Liquid Cooling?
Direct Liquid Cooling is a cooling system in which cooling liquids circulate in direct contact with high-temperature components, such as processors (CPUs), graphics cards (GPUs) or even entire motherboards. Unlike air cooling, the fluid used in DLC has a much higher heat transfer capacity, enabling heat to be dissipated more efficiently and more quickly.
The fluids used in DLC can vary, including demineralized water, glycol mixtures or specialized dielectric fluids that don't damage electrical components. This process is particularly interesting because it enables high-temperature components to be cooled without overheating the immediate environment, thus reducing the demand for air-conditioning in large installations
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Eliminates over 80% of server heat and enables sustainable heat reuse
Ideal for upgrading your current configuration.
For dense calculations of per rack or more!
Cools hot water systems (W3/W4 ASHRAE).
Why choose Direct Liquid Cooling?
Direct Liquid Cooling is an advanced cooling solution offering considerable advantages for companies seeking to optimize their IT performance. Thanks to its exceptional heat dissipation capacity, DLC not only significantly reduces energy costs, but also increases equipment density and extends its lifespan. This technology is particularly relevant for high-performance infrastructures requiring efficient, sustainable thermal management.
Superior thermal efficiency
The liquid can absorb much more heat, reducing the need for air conditioning.
Space-saving design
Because liquid cooling is more efficient, systems can be more compact, allowing maximum component density (servers, racks, etc.) to be achieved in restricted spaces.
Noise reduction
Cooling by fans and air-conditioning systems generates a lot of noise, especially in large installations. DLC, on the other hand, operates more quietly, even at high thermal loads.
Energy savings
By reducing air-conditioning requirements, DLC can significantly reduce energy costs, which is particularly interesting for data centers.
Longer component life
Consistent, better-controlled temperatures reduce the thermal stress on electronic components, thus extending their lifespan
Types of Direct Liquid Cooling
There are several types of Direct Liquid Cooling, each adapted to specific needs:
- Direct contact cooling: The liquid comes into direct contact with the component, notably through cooling blocks installed on the CPU, GPU, or other critical parts.
- Immersion cooling: Electronic components are immersed in a non-conductive dielectric liquid which dissipates heat. This type of cooling is particularly suitable for complete servers and high-power density systems.
- Hybrid cooling: A combination of air cooling and liquid cooling, where some parts of the infrastructure use liquid to cool the most critical components, while others use air for additional dissipation.
Direct Liquid Cooling installation process
Setting up a Direct Liquid Cooling system requires meticulous planning, careful selection of components and precise installation steps. Here are the main steps:
Coolant selection
The choice of coolant is crucial in the DLC. Common fluids include:
- Often used in basic cooling systems, but must be changed regularly to prevent corrosion. Often used in basic cooling systems, but must be changed regularly to prevent corrosion.
- Widely used, they are more resistant to temperature variations and offer better protection against corrosion Widely used, they are more resistant to temperature variations and offer better protection against corrosion
- These non-conductive liquids allow components to be fully immersed without the risk of short circuits These non-conductive liquids allow components to be fully immersed without the risk of short circuits
Selection of cooling components
Cooling components must be matched to the elements they are to cool:
- Used for specific components such as the CPU or GPU, they are designed to maximize contact area and ensure efficient dissipation. Used for specific components such as the CPU or GPU, they are designed to maximize contact area and ensure efficient dissipation.
- Ensure constant liquid circulation, even under high thermal loads Ensure constant liquid circulation, even under high thermal loads
- Located on the outside of components, they dissipate heat from the liquid, releasing it into the surrounding environment Located on the outside of components, they dissipate heat from the liquid, releasing it into the surrounding environmentambiant.
Installation of blocks and tubes
Cooling block installation must be precise to ensure maximum contact with the surfaces to be cooled. Liquid-carrying tubes must be perfectly sealed to prevent leakage
Leak test
Before starting up the system, it is essential to carry out a leak test. Leaks can damage electronic components, especially if conductive liquids such as demineralized water are used. A pressure test is often carried out to detect weak points
Temperature control and maintenance
Once installed, the system requires regular monitoring and maintenance. The fluid must be checked periodically to avoid any deposits or contamination that could reduce cooling efficiency
Concrete example of the DLC system
Below you'll find the different configurations for setting up a Direct Liquid Cooling system
DLC (Waterblock CPU) system
In a Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) system, three key components work together to ensure optimum heat dissipation: the radiator, the CPU waterblock and the quick disconnect. The CPU waterblock (the square blocks in the image) is attached directly to the processor and transfers its heat to the coolant via a conductive metal plate, keeping the CPU at a stable temperature. The heated liquid then circulates to the radiator, which dissipates this heat into the air with the help of numerous fins and, often, fans (6 pictured), ensuring that the liquid is cooled again for a new cycle. For ease of maintenance and system modularity, quick disconnects (in red) allow leak-free disconnection of pipes, making it possible to replace or add components quickly and without risk to the equipment. Together, these components ensure efficient, safe and easy-to-maintain cooling
Illustration 1DLC system (Waterblock GPU)
In this illustration, we have more or less the same configuration, but this time on a GPU. This system consists of a waterblock, this time a GPU, this GPU (NVIDIA Tesla V100 in our case) has a fan and two quick disconnects connected to the waterblock to cool the GPU. It's an efficient and easy-to-maintain cooling configuration.
Illustration 2DLC system (Waterblock CPU and GPU)
In these two examples, we have a complete direct cooling system (DLC) with 2 GPUs, 2 CPUs and a heat sink, all linked by quick disconnects. This configuration is perfectly suited to commercial or professional use, for example for server installation. It's an efficient, easy-to-maintain cooling configuration.
Illustration 3Customer Testimonials
« Since adopting Direct Liquid Cooling, we've seen a significant reduction in our energy costs and an improvement in server performance. It's a win-win solution! »
Jean Dupont — Technical Director at Tech Innovators
« DLC has transformed our data center. Our teams are more productive and our servers operate at optimal temperatures. We highly recommend this technology. »
Marie Claire — Infrastructure Manager at Data Solutions
