Intel researchers are currently working on new solutions to cool next generation chips, with consumption that they expect to reach up to 2000 W. They already opted for immersion refrigeration a few years ago. But as Moore's Law and increasing chip density indicate, it is no longer enough and they are currently busy adapting and improving their best cooling technology with new materials and structures.
This is more intended for cool data centers, so do not expect to have a giant cooling for your PC. Improvements in cooling efficiency can have a significant impact on a data center operator's bottom line. The most powerful processors consume the most watts, but the most recent studies suggest that refrigeration represents up to 40% of the energy consumption of a facility. Better cooling would also allow chips to run faster and handle higher workloads.
Intel expects to be able to cool 2000 W in data centers
One of the new cooling solutions is said to be based on "like 3D vapor chambers embedded in coral-shaped heat sinks«. It could be a collaboration with Diabatix, a company specialising in heat sinks and cold plates created using a generative design software platform. As seen, their results look like coral growth. These structures offer very low thermal resistance.
Intel also mentions that one partner has technology that features “tiny jets, tuned by AI, that shoot cold water over chip hot spots to remove heat«. In this case, technology would be very similar to the one defended by JetCool, an MIT spin-off.
Elsewhere on their blog, Intel mentions that they are closely studying cooling technologies that use 3D steam chambers, advanced materials and coatings that improve boiling. This work is called "essentially important for our future"This comes from Tejas Shah, chief thermal architect of Intel's Supercomputing Platforms group.
It is expected that the potential of allow processors to run at cooler temperatures. It is expected to offer thus "a performance increase of 5% to 7% at the same power", with the savings in cooling that this entails.
Source: Tom's Hardware
