Compuware unveils world’s first liquid-cooled PSU for AI servers

Compuware Technology has introduced what it describes as the world's first liquid-cooled power supply unit (PSU) specifically developed to address the power and thermal requirements of next-generation AI servers.

The newly launched PSU delivers 6,600W with a hybrid 54V+12V output and uses a combination of liquid cooling and a low-RPM fan for thermal management. This approach differs from existing industry norms, where PSUs in high-performance data centres are typically cooled solely by fans.

Dual cooling approach

According to Compuware Technology, the PSU utilises liquid cooling as its primary cooling strategy alongside a 2,000 RPM fan as an auxiliary means of airflow. The company has pointed out that conventional air-cooled PSUs running at similar power outputs require fans capable of spinning at much higher speeds—up to 18,700 RPM—to manage heat effectively.

This reduction in fan speed from 18,700 RPM to 2,000 RPM leads to notable energy savings. Compuware's data indicates a power saving of 140W per PSU. For a server system utilising four of these units, this equates to a total energy saving of 13,440W per day. Over a 12-month period, the calculated energy savings from fan use alone are approximately 5,000 kWh, or around USD $750, based on an average rate of USD $0.15 per kWh.

The low-speed fan design also significantly reduces noise levels within the data centre. With noise levels reported as low as 25dB, the PSU aims to provide a quieter environment for facilities housing dense computing operations.

Industry context and rationale

Industry trends toward greater GPU and AI computational workloads have presented growing thermal management challenges for data centre operators. While server CPU and GPU components have increasingly moved towards liquid cooling to dissipate high thermal loads, power supplies have generally lagged behind, continuing to rely on traditional air-based cooling methods.

"In the transition from air-cooled to liquid-cooled systems, we noticed that most so-called liquid-cooled servers today are not fully liquid-cooled because their PSUs are still cooled by air. Thanks to the close cooperation with customers and the hard work of our R&D team, we are proud to pioneer the world's first PSU designed specifically for AI servers with liquid cooling, and we are committed to achieving 100% liquid-cooled power supplies in the near future," said Bill Liang, President and Founder of Compuware Technology.

Technical details

The PSU features a native 54V output optimised for GPUs and a 12V output for CPUs and SSDs. This hybrid configuration is intended to eliminate the need for external power bricks in AI server deployments, reducing both the cost and spatial footprint of server infrastructure. The unit's design supports a maximum output of 6,600W, with an Electrical Design Point Peak (EDPP) capacity of 11,880W (180% for 54V), and can accommodate the high peak load demands typical of large-scale AI workloads.

The PSU is compatible with standard system or rack manifolds and Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) commonly found in existing liquid-cooled data centre infrastructure. Up to eight PSUs can be installed together in a parallel configuration, supporting large, scalable server deployments. According to the company, no additional manifolds or CDUs are required.

Customer focus

Compuware emphasised that its liquid-cooled PSU has been developed in collaboration with customers, reflecting the needs of data centre operators facing an increase in energy consumption and thermal density driven by modern AI systems.

"Our liquid-cooled PSU marks a breakthrough for AI power infrastructure. By delivering cutting-edge cooling, high efficiency, and high power output, we help our customers build stable, high-performance, and environmentally friendly AI systems. This achievement is the result of close collaboration with our customers, to whom we are deeply grateful," Bill Liang added.

The company has stated that the PSU prototype was recently showcased to global partners and has stressed the need for custom integration with server platforms for deployment. Compuware encourages collaboration with customers for the effective implementation of this solution.