GIGABYTE Direct Liquid Cooling Solution

GIGABYTE has independently developed a Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) solution designed for high-density computing in data centers. The advanced cooling system operates by allowing direct contact between heat-generating components, such as CPUs or GPUs, and a cold plate connected to tubes with coolant inside, effectively removing heat from the server via a more efficient and rapid means. Compared to traditional air-cooled systems, DLC transfers heat at a much higher rate, ensuring overall system performance and stability.

GIGABYTE's DLC system can be easily integrated with both liquid-to-air and liquid-to-liquid coolant distribution units (CDUs), requiring minimal modifications to existing cooling hardware in data centers. Another option for an easier adoption of new cooling solutions is deploying Rear Door Heat Exchangers (RDHxs). Compatible with either DLC servers or air-cooled servers, the design offers a perfect solution for gradually transitioning from an air cooling infrastructure into the era of DLC data centers. These designs can effectively assist customers in addressing the continuously increasing demands for greater heat dissipation at a reasonable cost and with ease of deployment.

Cooling Challenges for AI, HPC, and Cloud Computing

Following the booming numbers in cloud computing services, artificial Intelligence (AI) has also started to become mainstream in every part of our daily lives. Combining the high-performance computing (HPC) needed in the field of scientific research, data centers worldwide continue to grow in number and scale. As the demand for computing power rapidly expands with limited space to be utilized, data centers are forced to come up with a much higher density solution, bringing unprecedented loads to the traditional air-cooling system design. Furthermore, the vibration generated by cooling fans in a server may result in damage to server components such as HDDs, and the noise could potentially damage the hearing of workers that routinely maintain IT hardware.

It is estimated that data centers now consume approximately 1% of the world's electricity, with the average power usage effectiveness (PUE) being in the range of 1.4 to 1.6. This number indicates that around 33% of the facility power is spent not on powering the IT hardware itself but on facility costs, including a majority part on air conditioning. DLC is a much more efficient way of transferring heat away from electrical components, and since air cooling equipment within a server, such as large fans and heat sinks, is no longer required, liquid cooling systems can fit into a more compact design, potentially supporting a much greater density of CPUs and GPUs in limited space.

Overall, the popular and standardized DLC technology has been proven effective throughout the past few years, and it is now a mature technology suitable for all scales of applications from small-sized data centers and smaller HPC cluster deployments to exascale computing facilities.

Why GIGABYTE DLC Solution

All-in-one & fully optimized

With all components, from servers and cold plates to racks and CDUs, made by GIGABYTE and verified partners, GIGABYTE DLC solution offers an all-in-one rack solution suitable for customers seeking a complete setup with optimal performance.
Flexible & reliable

GIGABYTE uses connectors from Stäubli, a reliable and experienced industry leader, to build the DLC solution. And the solution has been tested with various brands, allowing customers to customize configurations with products from verified partners.
Faster delivery at a lower cost

By moving components manufacturing to GIGABYTE, the solution can be delivered within a much shorter lead time and at a good price, reducing the total cost while ensuring the same high-quality performance and services provided by GIGABYTE and its partners.

Explore Flexible DLC Solutions with GIGABYTE

GIGABYTE DLC Solution Composition

Passive Cold Plate Loops

GIGABYTE's cold plates are designed to support high TDP CPUs and GPUs, maximizing their heat dissipation efficiency while handling intense applications such as generative AI. The loop designs are tested in different motherboard layouts, delivering optimal thermal performance in all GIGABYTE liquid cooled servers.

Leak Sensor Boards

As liquid cooling gradually becomes the industry standard, a leak protection design is required in more and more upcoming projects. GIGABYTE designs leak sensor boards for all platforms, providing warnings when encountering coolant leakage to relieve the biggest concern of adopting liquid cooling systems.

Rack Manifolds

The rack manifolds connect liquid-cooled server nodes to a rack-based CDU, featuring a reliable stainless-steel design and 100% dry-break quick disconnect for safe, quick maintenance of any server node. The manifolds use a parallel cooling design and come in two sizes for either a half-rack or a full-rack configuration. The connectors are highlighted in red (outlet) and blue (inlet) for quick identification, and the manifold is easy to install, occupying only a small space for better ventilation and more room for other configurations such as power distribution units (PDUs).

Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs)

GIGABYTE partnered with Motivair, nVent, and Delta, global leaders and innovators in cooling IT hardware, and configured their CDUs into the GIGABYTE DLC solution to ensure cost-effective and compelling performance, which can operate a full-rack GPU server configuration with a single 4U liquid-to-liquid CDU. The CDUs feature redundant circulating pumps and power supplies and can be installed at the top or bottom of any standard 19” rack. Warranty and maintenance services are ensured by either GIGABYTE or its partners to minimize the risks of new deployments.

DLC Rack

For new deployments seeking easier validation solutions, GIGABYTE designs the DLC rack, DL90-ST0, for facilities interested but hesitant to step into liquid cooling solutions. The 22U half-rack design can be easily integrated into existing air-cooling environments, and the 8U liquid-to-air In-Rack CDU from Delta is capable of handling systems up to 14.5kW, with redundant pump and power circuit designs. The rack is also equipped with verified PDUs and GIGABYTE manifolds, allowing for a simple drop-in test of various system configurations, from multiple general computing servers to a single high-end GPU specialist such as GIGABYTE G593 GPU server.

Applications

AI and HPC

Ensuring exceptional performance when handling demanding compute and GPU workloads is crucial for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC) heavy, complex workloads. GIGABYTE servers not only deliver outstanding performance but also effectively address the heat dissipation requirements that accompany the most powerful GPUs available today. Coupled with GIGABYTE's DLC technology, systems achieve peak performance in a dense configuration.
Cloud Computing

Cloud computing services are known for their higher capacity, incredible processing performance and resource allocation, and density driven data centers, demanding more powerful cooling methods within a limited space. GIGABYTE’s DLC technology optimizes space and decreases component failure rates. This achieves sustainable and performance objectives.
Scientific Computing and Data Analytics

Cloud computing services are known for their higher capacity, incredible processing performance and resource allocation, and density driven data centers, demanding more powerful cooling methods within a limited space. GIGABYTE’s DLC technology optimizes space and decreases component failure rates. This achieves sustainable and performance objectives.

Another Step Toward Green Computing with GIGABYTE DLC Solution

GIGABYTE’s DLC technology further demonstrates our commitment to sustainability. Compared to air cooling solutions, the DLC solution is more energy efficient, as seen in its low PUE value. It eliminates the need for additional server fans, and the passive cold plates and CDUs enable precise control of the system's operating temperature. This results in a significant decrease in lost energy and noise. At the same time, the lower and stable component temperature extends the hardware lifespan.

The GIGABYTE DLC solution not only provides innovative technical solutions but also reflects GIGABYTE’s leadership in advancing technology, tackling heat dissipation challenges, and pursuing sustainable development. It enables clients to achieve environmental sustainability aligned objectives and usher in green computing. Additionally, it facilitates rapid deployment for businesses, streamlines client verification and evaluation processes, saves time, and reduces operational costs.

GIGABYTE Direct Liquid Cooling Solution