Overview
- Nvidia announced Rubin and the DSX AI factory reference design on Monday, June 22, 2026, saying the Rubin generation is the first server line cooled entirely by liquid and validated to run inlet coolant up to 45°C.
- The systems use closed‑loop warm‑water direct‑to‑chip cooling with a roughly 75% water and 25% propylene glycol mix, route liquid to every processor and networking component, and eliminate fans and traditional cold‑aisle air cooling.
- Nvidia says the DSX reference design can achieve near‑zero evaporative water use in suitably designed facilities by relying on outdoor dry coolers instead of chillers, though the company’s zero‑water claim depends on site design and climate.
- The company and industry reports link higher coolant temperatures to big energy savings and higher rack density, plus quieter operation and potential waste‑heat reuse, and note operators including cloud providers and repurposed crypto‑mining sites are testing the approach.
- Broader context includes a June UNU‑INWEH warning about rising data‑center electricity and water demand through 2030, and experts say real‑world water and energy gains will vary by geography, permitting, and the pace of replacing older air‑cooled facilities.