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Dell Liquid Cooling Explained: PowerEdge & Beyond

Publish Date: 05-28-2025
 

Today’s data centers do far more than host websites. They’re massive warehouses, full of advanced servers powering cutting-edge technologies like machine learning, AI, and big data analysis. This evolving role has increased data center power consumption significantly, and traditional cooling solutions are struggling to keep up.

Heat management has become a performance bottleneck. If your company is ready to do something about it, Dell Liquid Cooling may be the answer. Here’s a closer look at the technology, how it supports data centers, and tips for getting started.

The Evolution of Data Center Cooling: From Air to Liquid Efficiency

Traditional data centers use air cooling to keep machines running at optimal temperatures. These systems rely on fans, heat sinks, and other components to prevent overheating. However, they struggle to provide enough cooling for modern CPUs and GPUs, particularly those exceeding 250 to 400W TDP. Air cooling systems also have numerous inefficiencies, including hot spots and larger spatial requirements.

The transition to liquid cooling systems has been a response to these problems. Liquid cooling delivers more efficient thermal regulation in a fraction of the space. It enables data centers to run powerful AI simulations and process large quantities of data in real time without sacrificing performance.

Dell Technologies has played an important role in this transition, developing next-generation cooling solutions to service emerging technologies. These tools can help your data centers cut cooling costs, reduce energy consumption, and improve building recovery capabilities.

Dell’s Liquid Cooling Technologies Explained

Dell Technologies makes several liquid cooling solutions that support modern power consumption demands. Here’s a closer look at each to help your business zero in on the right approach for its infrastructure.

Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC)

First, we offer direct liquid cooling, or DLC. This involves circulating coolant through cold plates mounted to the data center’s CPUs and GPUs. DLC enables more efficient heat transfer than air cooling because liquids have a higher thermal conductivity than air.

The installation process for DLC cooling is moderately complex, requiring rack-level planning. However, these systems are fairly easy to maintain and scale quickly as enterprise needs evolve.

Immersion Cooling

Immersion cooling means submerging entire servers in non-conductive coolant fluid, not just the CPU or GPU. This delivers more uniform cooling than in DLC systems with no hot spots and minimal spatial requirements. If you want optimal cooling for performance or supply chain security, immersion may be a better choice than DLC.

However, these systems also have a more expensive, complex installation process. Those prices aren’t always worth paying, especially if a DLC system would be enough to meet your cooling needs.

PowerEdge Series: Pioneers in Liquid Cooling

If you’re investing in new servers alongside a better cooling solution, consider Dell's PowerEdge Series. These servers were designed with liquid cooling in mind, supporting advanced workloads with minimal heat-based efficiency losses.

For example, PowerEdge C6520 and C6525 both support high-wattage processors and increased rack densities. We also designed PowerEdge XE 9680 for AI and machine learning workloads with 8-way GPU support. Features like these can help you take advantage of the latest tech breakthroughs without sacrificing performance.

PowerEdge can also help you save money elsewhere in your operations. For instance, you’ll spend less on cooling per unit of compute. You may also be able to achieve the same goals with less physical infrastructure, as PowerEdge servers can support more powerful workloads on a single chassis.

You can access Dell's industry-leading IT management support if you’d like some help with setting up a new PowerEdge solution.

Key Advantages of Dell Liquid Cooling in Enterprise Data Centers

Enterprise data centers leverage massive amounts of compute to serve customers, analyze problems, and enable AI solutions. Adding liquid cooling to your data center can keep it running efficiently while tackling these complex use cases. Here are some of the key benefits you’ll enjoy:

  • Enhanced thermal efficiency: Your machines will operate at a lower internal temperature and avoid throttling. You’ll also have more consistent thermal control across nodes, which is helpful for AI.

  • Energy and cost savings: With a lower reliance on fans, external air handling, and CRAC units, your run costs should decline after upgrading to liquid cooling from Dell.

  • Increased compute density: Liquid cooling also lets you pack more compute into every rack without overheating. It can help you increase the output of a small space or maximize the value of a larger warehouse.

  • Sustainability: With their lower levels of energy consumption, liquid cooling solutions can reduce your carbon footprint. Dell enhances this with its focus on recyclable materials and green manufacturing initiatives.

  • Noise Reduction: Your data centers will also become quieter after upgrading to liquid cooling, as you won’t have to run as many fans and air cooling components.

  • Integration with OpenManage: Dell’s cooling solutions integrate with OpenManage, so you can monitor performance remotely and adjust as necessary.

Innovations in AI and High-Performance Computing

AI training requires powerful accelerators, which often run in excess of 700W TDP each. This generates significantly more heat than traditional air cooling systems can handle. It’s why cooling improvements have become a critical part of AI innovation. They help data centers avoid thermal throttling and get maximum value from their hardware investments.

For example, Dell’s Direct Liquid Cooling rapidly dissipates heat from GPUs, CPUs, and memory. We also offer immersion cooling for expanded coverage, which may be necessary in edge AI workloads and dense training clusters.

Ultimately, superior cooling technology makes high-performance computing economically feasible. It keeps energy costs low, minimizes downtime, and helps teams get more value out of the space they have with denser racks.

Driving Innovation Through Collaboration: Dell and Industry Partners

Dell is helping to create the next generation of cooling technology through collaborations with major industry players. From cooling tech firms like Submer and ZutaCore to chipmakers like Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD, our open ecosystem can help your team take the next step forward.

Take a look at our Dell Optimizer Brochure for more details. Or become a member of the ELEVATE User Community to stay up-to-date with our latest announcements and innovations: https://elevatetechcommunity.org/