IBM Unveils Watercooled Super Computer 'Hydro Cluster'

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The main hindrance in having a large vast data center is the amount of heat generated from the computer servers. If you run the unit faster than it can handle, too much heat is generated. Previously, fans and air conditioners were used to cool the servers down but they consume a lot of energy and are not very efficient.

The new Hydro-Cluster, on the other hand, uses water as a primary coolant and a faster microprocessor, IBM Power six, which smashes the 5 GHz barrier for the first time. In comparison, home computers use 2 to 4 GHz microprocessors.

The Hydro-Cluster has 448 processors and is capable of performing 252 trillion operations per second. When you process data at this speed, the servers will generate tremendous heat that needs to be cooled immediately.

How the water cooling system works

The water is circulated via small pipes that traverses through the entire data network. Copper plates placed close to the chips are cooled by the water as the heat is conducted from the chip to the water via the plate. The hot water can then be used to heat other areas, and once it transfers the heat, it comes back again and cools the plate and the cycle continues.

As domain-b explains: This is a unique approach where instead of treating the heat as their enemy it is treated like a precious commodity; piping hot water is carried off the chip and out of the systems where it can be used in other areas like homes, kitchens,etc.

IBM researchers are also working on computers that would allow water to go directly to the chip without the need for copper plates. Thus, the heat can be transferred directly to the water from the chip and the heated water can then be used in other areas.

Hydro-Cluster is expected to be available beginning May 6.