JetCool’s 2022 Data Center Trends: Liquid Cooling Adoption Survey reveals that server and data center OEMs, ODMs, and SIs are becoming more interested in adopting liquid cooling to reach new performance and sustainability goals. The survey polled 42 data center experts employed by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), original design manufacturer (ODM), or system integrator (SI) on their plans to implement or increase the use of liquid cooling in the next 12 months, revealing the data center ecosystem is at an inflection point, entering a phase of liquid cooling evaluation and adoption.
Growing Interest in Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling Technology
As new technologies such as AI, ML, and Web3.0 emerge, the need for more powerful processors grows. Higher power processors generate more heat, driving data centers to install higher rack densities or accept reduced performance levels. According to JetCool’s survey, OEMs, ODMs, and SIs are investigating new cooling technologies to address the difficulties of cooling high-density racks, with 57% of respondents using or expecting to use liquid-cooled devices in their product roadmap in the next year. Uptime Institute substantiates these findings in their Q3 Uptime Institute Data Center Cooling Systems Survey 2021, stating, “direct liquid cooling may become the primary cooling method driven by rack density, electricity cost, and sustainability efforts.”
OEMs, ODMs, and SIs Plan on Higher TDP Devices
To stay ahead of the competition, data center professionals are looking to adopt higher power density devices. Our survey found that in the next 12 months, 71% of respondents need or require higher power processors, with 36% planning to use devices with a TDP greater than 500W. While air cooling solutions can cool up to 30kW, they often require extra infrastructure, like raised floors or in-row cooling, and can still result in hot spots. As a result, data center professionals are turning to newer cooling technologies like liquid cooling, which can provide better cooling performance at a lower cost.
OEMs, ODMs, and SIs Cite Cost, Performance, and Sustainability as Reasons to Implement or Increase Use of Liquid Cooling
OEMs, ODMs, and SIs are looking for liquid cooling to improve data center performance while reducing costs. Cost (64%) and sustainability (60%) were the most commonly cited reasons for choosing a liquid cooling solution in a multi-answer question. These key factors influencing liquid cooling adoption were followed by maintenance (40%), simplicity, and ease of installation (38%).
JetCool’s Data Center Trends – Liquid Cooling Adoption Survey. Base: All respondents, 2022 (n= 42). For the question “What factors are most important when choosing a liquid cooling solution?”, respondents were able to have multiple responses.
What are OEMs, ODMs, and SIs using now to cool processors?
When prompted about what they’re doing now to keep their devices cool, most respondents said they utilize cold plates (43%), air sinks (33%), heat pipes (10%), immersion cooling systems (10%), and other methods. Just 4% of respondents are using no cooling method at all.
With the data center industry rapidly evolving, businesses must stay up-to-date on the latest trends. The adoption of direct liquid cooling is a perfect example of how the data center landscape is changing. By understanding these changes, data center professionals can make informed decisions about the best way to cool their devices.
Simple, Scalable, and Sustainable Liquid Cooling Meets the Data Center Where it is Today
The data collected from the survey reveals that there is a growing interest in liquid cooling technology among OEMs, ODMs, and SIs. This is due to the need for more powerful processors as new technologies emerge. Liquid cooling can provide better cooling performance at a lower cost, making it an attractive option for data center professionals. In addition, sustainability is essential in decision-making for many OEMs, ODMs, and SIs. JetCool’s liquid cooling solutions are simple to install and scale, making them an excellent option for businesses looking to improve data center performance while reducing costs. Read about our data center solutions to learn about a simple, scalable, and sustainable liquid cooling solution.
