AI芯片功耗走向5000W，液冷势在必行

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the urgent need for advanced cooling technologies in data centers due to the increasing power density of computer chips, particularly driven by artificial intelligence applications. Traditional fan-based cooling methods are becoming inadequate as chip power consumption rises significantly, necessitating a shift towards liquid cooling solutions [2][3][20]. Group 1: Current Challenges in Data Centers - The average power density of racks is currently around 8 kW, but it is expected to rise to 100 kW for AI applications, creating a pressing need for improved cooling methods [3]. - The power consumption of GPUs has escalated dramatically, with the latest models reaching up to 1200 watts, and projections suggest future chips may exceed 2000 watts [2][3]. Group 2: Liquid Cooling Technologies - Liquid cooling is seen as the future for AI-focused data centers, with various methods being explored, including single-phase direct chip cooling, two-phase direct chip cooling, single-phase immersion cooling, and two-phase immersion cooling [4][5][10][12][15]. - Single-phase direct chip cooling involves circulating a coolant, typically a water and glycol mixture, directly over the hottest chips to absorb heat [5][7]. - Two-phase direct chip cooling utilizes the latent heat of vaporization, allowing a special dielectric fluid to boil and absorb heat more efficiently than single-phase methods [8][10]. Group 3: Immersion Cooling Techniques - Single-phase immersion cooling involves submerging servers in a dielectric fluid, which can lead to significant energy savings and a dust-free environment [12][14]. - Two-phase immersion cooling is emerging as a promising technology, where servers are submerged in a boiling liquid, providing up to 100 times the cooling capacity of single-phase methods [15][17]. - The total cost of ownership for two-phase immersion cooling systems is estimated to be lower than that of single-phase systems due to reduced power requirements and simplified mechanical systems [18]. Group 4: Industry Outlook - The demand for cooling technologies is expected to grow alongside the increasing power requirements of AI systems, with industry experts emphasizing the need for continued innovation in cooling solutions [19][20]. - Companies are actively researching and developing new cooling technologies to address the challenges posed by high-density computing environments [20].