SAN JOSE, CA, May 14, 2025 – Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) has introduced updates to its Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) solution, incorporating technologies that improve cooling efficiency for a range of server components and support higher inlet liquid temperatures. The updated DLC-2 system includes mechanical enhancements aimed at improving energy efficiency in AI workloads. Compared to traditional air-cooled systems, the DLC-2 solution can reduce data center power usage by up to 40%. These improvements also support faster deployment and shorter time-to-service for liquid-cooled AI systems. Additionally, the total cost of ownership may be reduced by up to 20% through lower operational expenses. Expanded cold plate coverage reduces the need for high fan speeds and multiple fans, contributing to a lower noise level of around 50 dB in the data center.
“With the expected demand for liquid-cooled data centers rising to 30% of all installations, we realized that current technologies were insufficient to cool these new AI-optimized systems,” said Charles Liang, president and CEO of Supermicro. “Supermicro continues to remain committed to innovation, green computing, and improving the future of AI, by significantly reducing data center power and water consumption, noise, and space. Our latest liquid-cooling innovation, DLC-2, saves data center electricity costs by up to 40%.”
Supermicro plans to integrate DLC-2 features into its data center building block solutions to support wider adoption of liquid cooling and reduce overall operational costs by an estimated 20%.
As part of its updated liquid-cooling architecture, Supermicro has developed a GPU-optimized server that fits eight NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs and two Intel Xeon 6 CPUs within a 4U rack configuration. The system is engineered to operate with higher supply coolant temperatures and includes cold plate coverage for key components such as CPUs, GPUs, memory, PCIe switches, and voltage regulators. This approach reduces reliance on high-speed fans and rear-door heat exchangers, contributing to lower cooling-related energy demands in the data center.
The Supermicro DLC-2 solution stack is designed to support the new 4U front I/O NVIDIA HGX B200 8-GPU system. It includes an in-rack Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) capable of dissipating up to 250 kW of heat per rack. The system uses vertical coolant distribution manifolds (CDMs) to circulate coolant through the rack, removing heated liquid and returning cooler liquid to the servers. This configuration allows for higher server density by reducing the space needed for cooling infrastructure. CDMs are available in multiple sizes to match different rack configurations. The DLC-2 solution is integrated with Supermicro’s SuperCloud Composer software, enabling centralized management and orchestration of data center infrastructure.
The liquid-cooling system achieves up to 98% heat capture per server rack, allowing inlet coolant temperatures to reach up to 45°C. Operating at this higher temperature removes the need for chilled water and compressor-based cooling systems, reducing both equipment costs and energy use. This configuration can also lower overall water consumption in the data center by up to 40%.
As part of its data center infrastructure offerings, the DLC-2 solution includes support for hybrid cooling towers in combination with liquid-cooled server racks and clusters. These hybrid systems integrate features of both dry and water-cooling towers, allowing them to adapt to varying environmental conditions. This design is particularly useful in regions with seasonal temperature changes, where it can help reduce resource consumption and operational costs by optimizing cooling methods throughout the year.
Source: Super Micro Computer, Inc.
About Super Micro Computer, Inc.
Super Micro Computer Inc., or Supermicro, is a provider of high-performance server technology and green computing solutions. Founded in 1993 by Charles Liang and Sara Liu, the company is headquartered in San Jose, CA. Supermicro offers a complete range of products, including servers, storage systems, networking devices, and server management software, serving industries like enterprise data centers, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, 5G, and edge computing. As of June 2023, the company employs approximately 5,126 individuals globally. In the fiscal year 2024, Supermicro reported revenues of approximately $15 billion, reflecting growth driven by its innovative solutions and expanding market presence.