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The Verge - Tech
Nvidia says its AI data center design runs hotter to use a lot less water
Nvidia has unveiled its new AI data center design, which claims to drastically reduce water consumption by using fully liquid cooling systems and operating at higher temperatures. The Rubin generation reference design reportedly allows for outdoor dry coolers to efficiently reject heat, minimizing water use to near zero. While this innovation may lead to significant efficiency gains in cooling, the design does not resolve all concerns related to AI data centers, particularly regarding construction costs and energy demands.
MonitorConfidence: MediumMid term horizon
Published 23 Jun 2026, 00:06 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Nvidia claims its liquid-cooled data center design eliminates significant water usage.
- The design operates AI servers at temperatures as high as 113°F (45°C).
- Efficiency is achieved by transporting heat through liquid loops directly at the chip.
- Water use sees a potential reduction from 2.6 million gallons per megawatt annually to near zero.
- The design might not address all environmental and cost concerns of data center construction.
Interesting facts
- Nvidia's cooling method may influence cloud providers and data center operators globally.
- The shift to higher temperatures links to wider industry trends in efficiency improvements.