The evolution of technology has brought unprecedented demands on data center infrastructure. As performance requirements and power densities increase, traditional cooling methods struggle to keep pace. Immersion cooling offers a practical solution, simplifying deployment, increasing efficiency, and meeting the growing demands of AI and high-performance computing. Here's a closer look at how immersion cooling is addressing these challenges.

Simplifying data center infrastructure

Traditional air-cooled data centers require extensive and costly infrastructure: cooling towers, chillers, and more. Immersion cooling eliminates much of this complexity. Instead of constructing a facility around the demands of air cooling, immersion cooling simplifies the requirements without the costly need for hot/cold aisle containment, and can be deployed quickly into existing warehouse-type environments. Tanks can be installed quickly and easily, significantly reducing the time and cost of deployment.

For comparison, building a traditional air-cooled or direct-to-chip data center can take up to a year or more, while immersion-cooled facilities can often be operational in half the time – or less. This efficiency is a major advantage for operators looking to scale quickly and cost-effectively.

Increasing density and reducing footprints

Modern workloads demand higher densities than ever before. For instance, a standard 42U air-cooled rack deployed at a typical colocation might support 12 to 15 kilowatts of power.

With high-performance GPUs drawing upwards of 600 Watts each, such a rack can only accommodate a small number of systems. Immersion cooling changes the equation, supporting up to 150-200 kilowatts per tank.

This means a data center equipped with immersion tanks can achieve significantly higher densities without the need for additional cooling infrastructure. The result is a more efficient, less complex facility that can accommodate far more computing power, making it easier to meet the growing demands of AI, HPC, and other data-intensive applications.

Engineering breakthroughs behind immersion-born servers

Immersion cooling isn’t just about replacing air with liquid – it requires a rethink of hardware design. Immersion-born servers, like those developed at Hypertec, are engineered specifically for liquid environments. By removing unnecessary components and creating an obstruction-free environment, the fluid can flow freely over the hardware, improving heat dissipation and thermal performance.

Another key innovation is the strategic placement of components. In an immersion tank, fluid movement is done by convention. Based on their thermal loads, components are strategically positioned, providing the best thermal performance. Heat-generating components such as GPUs are placed at the bottom of the tank, CPUs, and memory are located mid-tank, and components that can withstand higher heat are positioned at the top of the tank. This design ensures optimal cooling across all components, extending hardware lifespan by avoiding the thermal stress caused by fluctuating fan speeds in air-cooled systems.

Perfectly suited for AI and HPC

AI and HPC workloads place unique demands on data centers. Large language models and deep learning applications require immense computational power, often running hardware at peak capacity for extended periods. Immersion cooling is ideally suited for these environments, supporting the high-density configurations needed to deliver such workloads efficiently.

A scalable and sustainable approach

Scaling a data center with immersion cooling is far simpler than traditional air-cooled methods. Expanding capacity often involves little more than adding additional tanks and connecting the power and water loops. Compare this to the extensive infrastructure investments required for air-cooled facilities, and it’s clear why immersion is gaining traction.

From a sustainability perspective, immersion cooling also has significant advantages. By eliminating fans and reducing reliance on chillers, power consumption is greatly reduced. Dry coolers can often replace energy-intensive cooling towers, further lowering environmental impact. These efficiencies make immersion cooling an attractive option for operators looking to balance performance with sustainability.

Debunking misconceptions about immersion cooling

Immersion cooling is a relatively new and fundamentally different approach compared to traditional air-cooled or direct-to-chip cooling methods. This novelty often gives rise to misconceptions, but as the technology matures, these concerns are being systematically addressed.

One common question revolves around warranties. Many buyers wonder if they will still receive the same level of warranty for their hardware in an immersion-cooled environment. The answer is a resounding yes. At Hypertec, all products come with full warranties, and the tanks themselves – essentially self-contained systems with heat exchangers and pumps – are designed for reliability. If malfunctions occur, addressing them is straightforward.

The most significant concerns tend to center on IT hardware compatibility with immersion fluids. Hardware vendors, including those who produce memory modules, power supplies, and motherboards, sometimes hesitate to provide warranties for immersion use because they lack long-term data on how components will perform in these environments. Hypertec tackles this issue head-on by working closely with vendors to conduct rigorous compatibility testing. Feedback from these tests is then used to refine and improve the next generation of products.

For example, Hypertec has collaborated with motherboard manufacturers to identify specific components at risk of deteriorating in immersion fluids.

These risks were mitigated by making targeted changes, ensuring the durability of future iterations. This continuous cycle of improvement has not only strengthened vendor confidence but has also driven the adoption of immersion cooling across the industry.

Another area of rapid development is the immersion fluid market itself. Where there were once only a handful of fluid providers, many new players are now entering the space, offering a variety of solutions and driving innovation.

This growing ecosystem ensures more options for customers and increases the overall value of the technology.

Serviceability and practicality

Another misconception is that servicing immersion-cooled systems is overly complicated or messy. Critics often envision components dripping with fluid, creating operational headaches. Processes are now in place that make maintaining immersion-cooled products just as simple, if not simpler, than their air-cooled counterparts.

For instance, when components need to be removed for repairs or warranty claims (RMAs), specialized systems efficiently extract the immersion fluid, leaving the hardware clean and dry. This eliminates the need for cumbersome packaging, like sealing parts in zip-lock bags for transport. Such innovations highlight how immersion cooling has matured into a practical and reliable solution.

A technology for the future

Looking ahead, immersion cooling will continue to evolve alongside advances in hardware and workloads. As power requirements for CPUs and GPUs rise, and as technologies like PCIe Gen 6 bring new challenges, innovations like forced convection and targeted flow cooling will ensure immersion systems remain effective.

The trend is clear: as traditional cooling methods reach their limits, immersion cooling is becoming an essential tool for operators facing the challenges of modern data center demands. From simplifying infrastructure to enabling high-density, sustainable deployments, it’s clear that immersion cooling isn’t just a solution for today – it’s a foundation for the data centers of tomorrow.