Data Center Strategy & Optimization Insights

Oils STILL ain't Oils

In this article, we explore the world of immersion fluids used in cooling systems. Optimal performance, heat transfer efficiency, and system longevity hinge upon the selection of the most suitable immersion fluid. Attributes like high thermal conductivity, low viscosity, and exceptional dielectric properties are non-negotiable in ensuring effective heat removal. As discussed in a previous article (Oils ain't Oils | LinkedIn), there are two methods in deploying immersion cooling, being single-

Oils ain't Oils

If you are Australian, and over 40, you might remember this as a nostalgic catchphrase from the 80's and 90's, advertising motor oil made by Castrol. While typically referred to as Oil, immersion cooling uses dielectric fluids to cool IT load - a non-corrosive, non-conductive liquid and either non-flammable or very high flashpoint, that has the viscosity of a mineral or baby oil.  Types of Immersion Cooling Single-phase and two-phase immersion cooling are two different approaches to cooling e

Beyond NVIDIA: Is AMD the only GPU alternative for HPC/AI Workloads

GPU's: What are they, where did they come from, why do I need one for AI?

The history of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) is a fascinating journey that begins with their humble origins as tools for enhancing 3D graphics in video games. These early GPUs (then called 3D accelerators) such as the 3dfx Voodoo2 released in 1998, laid the foundation for what would become a transformative force in computing technology. Early Beginnings and Gaming Acceleration In the late 1990s, the gaming industry was on the cusp of a revolution. The demand for more realistic and immersive

Immersion Datacenter Cooling: Future-Proofing

As chips and designs continue to push boundaries with ever higher Thermal Power Densities (TPDs), managing the dissipated heat becomes increasingly challenging. Current air-cooled rack designs typically top out at around 10-20kW per rack. However, when you consider the Thermal Power Densities of CPUs and GPUs, it quickly becomes apparent that filling a rack with these heat-producing components becomes a limiting factor. In a leaked Gigabyte roadmap, it has been revealed that most components ar

AI: Essential Considerations for Hosting Your Own Models

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a pervasive buzzword in the industry, evoking various reactions including an amusing supercut of Sunar Pichai at Google's 2023 I/O... AI demands high-powered compute, which necessitates effective cooling, with immersion cooling being a popular choice. However, this article will focus on other aspects of AI. Given the immense hype surrounding AI, it's essential to clarify that AI covers a broad spectrum. It is sometimes used interchangeably with Machine L

Immersion Datacenter Cooling: Sustainability and ESG

In my previous article, I discussed the flexibility of immersion cooled infrastructure, particularly for edge deployments, as well as its potential to enable significant scalability for datacenter operators while improving their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) posture. Now, let's delve deeper into the environmental sustainability benefits of immersion cooling, focusing on its impact on Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE), and heat reuse. I came across a

Immersion Datacenter Cooling: Enhanced Equipment Performance + Space Optimization

Immersion cooling offers a powerful solution for hosting high-value services such as AI and HPC workloads more cost-effectively in your datacenter. This approach leverages the superior cooling capabilities of immersion systems, guaranteeing optimal temperatures for such demanding workloads. Consequently, your equipment performs at its best, ensuring reliable operations. Essentially, this strategy creates the perfect environment for resource-heavy tasks, enabling you to offer premium services an