Member OP
I am tired of paying the virtualization tax on cooling. You know what I mean: you virtualize your compute, you overprovision your CRAC, you pay for N+1 air handlers moving BTUs through a raised floor that was designed for 2005 rack densities. The virtualization tax applies to everything including the HVAC.
I run 8 racks at a small facility. Three months ago I bypassed the CRAC entirely for my highest density nodes. Direct-to-chip water loop, home depot parts, 240V well pump as the primary circulator. Total cost: under 400. The virtualization tax on a new CRAC unit would have been 18000 plus install.
My loop is janky. It has air bubbles I cannot fully bleed. The quick disconnects are from a farm supply store. But my inlet temperatures dropped 11C versus the neighboring suite running identical hardware on CRAC. The PUE improvement alone pays for the pump electricity in three months.
I know the old-timers will roast me. Fire away. I have thermal photos.
