Xeon Server Watercooling

RB2004

RB2004

RB2004

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6 Jan 2008
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Hi, I am new to this forum, but i just wanted some advice on watercooling this setup.

Its a Server, it is using the new Intel 5400 Series of Xeon processors with a 1333mhz FSB and 12mb cache.

Each processor is a Quad core 2.88Ghz and there are 2 of these, so in total 8 cores, The system will also be used primarily for virtualisation so it will be under quite a lot of load constantly which is why i have decided to go for a watercooling solution, due to noise and heat. Any sugestions on an ideal setup?.. the socket type is LGA771.

Thanks
 
Swiftech do a special Apogee-1U which is designed for 771 and is fully compatible with the rest of their range. However, they may be hard to find ex-stock although you may be able to get a special order placed (via OCUK of course).

Is the server rack-mounted? If so, you will need to put the rest of the water-cooling external to the server which is easy if you have a spare shelf that you can put it all on.
 
Hi, no it is rackmounted at present but will be in future as it is a rack case, what i was thinking of doing was, cutting a hole in the server chassis cover and fixing the triple radiator to it, as its the only place there is room, and because heat travels upwards it will aid in cooling as well.
 
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Unless it's considerably more than 2U I wouldn't even think of hacking into it. Just put the blocks in with the pipes coming out the rear and put all the rest of the loop (pump, res, rad) into an empty server chassis or on a shelf.
 
The chassis is 4U. so there should be enough clearance. External mounting would be a last resource, as at yet there is no Rack cabinet this is being installed later on, and as i am only building the system for somebody else, and checking it a few times a month i dont want to risk the cooling system getting disturbed.

Thanks
 
I believe the D-Tek FuZion and the XSPC Delta both fit the 771 socket :)

Do you have room to mount 2 x 120.1 or 1 x 120.2 radiators?
 
I only really have room at the front for a single rad, behind, or infront of an existing 120mm fan, and down the side, but down the side is no good as there are no ventilation holes and in a rack it would be right up against the side of the rack, I will try a triple radiator in the top and see how it goes, if not then i will require a smaller one.

In the end i went for this heatsink,

Swiftech Apogee GT Universal CPU 3/8" and 1/2" ID

i dont know if they are any good, i was going to go for the D-Tek FuZion but only 1 place i looked up had stock, and they only had 1 and i require 2 so i went for the next universal one down in the price list, more expensive than the XSPC though i think.
 
Hi, yea i know it would, which was why i went for a tripple rad, 1x 120mm fan in the centre to begin with, more if required, and mounting in the cover of the rack case so heat naturally rises as well. Hopefully this setup will be sufficient

Thanks:)
 
FWIW, servers (if from a name brand) generally have very efficient cooling systems and are specifically designed to handle high heat loads. Of course, they also tend to be seriously noisy, but any amendments of the sort you intend to make will invalidate any warranty.

1) Get a rack.

2) Get an air-conditioned server room.

3) Who cares how much noise and heat it makes!

I accept that items 1 & 2 might be more than a water-cooling solution ;)
 
A rack will follow, the business is still in the process of getting all their IT equipment together.

I am just responsible for looking after everything, and building and supplying equipment to meet their requirements.

Everybody would love air conditioned server rooms lol, i would have one for their servers if i could, then cooling wouldnt be an issue:D they have 2 lower spec servers already, but the only place in the building for them is a small room next to their office and noise is starting to creep out. And they have complained about it before..but not a lot i can do.:(

so any more and they will probably complain. which is why i decided for the server system im building them it should be water cooled, to reduce noise, and because it is 2x 2.88Ghz 12mb cache 1333mhz fsb 5400 series Quad core xeons, and they will be under a lot of load as its being used for virtualisation.

Only ideal cooling method was liquid, also means when they get a rack as sugested before, and would be better, i can section a bit off at the top for lots of radiators, fans, 240v pump etc and convert the rack cabinet into a water cooled one for all 3 servers in it. but because i cant be there all the time it needs to all be situated within the case for now so nothing can be disturbed and i can just look after it.

So far my spec will consist of a,

Alphacool Laing DDC-Pump 12V Pump Ultra Water Tank
Aqua-Computer XT 360 Triple Radiator
2x Swiftech Apogee GT Universal CPU Coolers
Arctic Silver 5
1x 120mm Noctua NF-S12 1200 RPM Quiet Case Fan for now, will use more if required.

Any improvements?

Thanks in advance, loadsa great help and advice so far:)
 
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No way would I recommend water-cooling a business server. Get air-conditioning and use air. It'll just be so much less grief in the long run.
 
Looks like a good setup :) but according to the Aqua-Computer website that radiator is 5cm thick...if your tight for space look into a slimline radiator :)
 
i would get air conditioning if i could, but if they arent prepared to pay for it, i just have to work with what i can unfortunately:(. maintenance of the system is no problem as im always checking on it all, and after looking around quite a few datacentres now, HP and IBM are making the move to watercooled racks and machines, although still in very limited numbers.
 
IBM do a water-cooled rack which is only concerned with cooling the air leaving the rack! The cool air is sucked in through the front and as it leaves the rack it goes through a water-cooled radiator so that the air is cooled before it hits the data center again. Cooling a datacenter is not trivial and is starting to become as big a concern (and cost) as powering the servers in the first place. The system I implemented last year was based entirely on Sun's Cool Threads servers which reduced power consumption by 66% yet was three times more powerful. It also took up less space.

If they won't pay for air-conditioning, make them put up with the noise. They need to provide an insulated room with proper air-conditioning and you are asking for grief if you try to take responsibility for the problem. I wouldn't touch them with a barge-pole with an attitude like that.
 
what problems will i have with a liquid cooled system? so i can weigh it up and make an informed descision, as i am pretty new to this all, just seemed like a good solution to the noise and heat problem, so i thought i would try it.
 
Assuming the room is fairly small, a decent air-conditioner will cost about £1000, plus maybe £250 to get it fitted.

Seriously - have you really considered how you are going to drain this thing, or even properly leak-test it?

And are you planning a series or parallel loop? If you do it in series the second cpu will be getting pretty warm coolant off the first block so I think you will have to do it in parallel, which has it's own issues.
 
In a watercooling loop the coolant temperature will average out to within a few degrees wherever you are in the loop so it shouldn't be a major problem :)
 
prosser13 said:
In a watercooling loop the coolant temperature will average out to within a few degrees wherever you are in the loop so it shouldn't be a major problem :)
Click to expand...

Really? So the radiator doesn't actually drop the temperature as the water passes through it? I always thought it did so that the water was cooler when it left the radiator than when it went in?

How does it work then?
 
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