EK Introduces the EK-Pro NVIDIA A100 80 GB Rack GPU Water Block

[AleksandarK]

EK, the leading computer cooling solutions provider, is now offering an enterprise-grade GPU water block for PNY NVIDIA A100 80 GB PCIe data center GPUs. The EK-Pro GPU WB A100 80 GB Rack - Nickel + Inox is a high-performance water block specifically engineered to make the entire GPU and water block assembly as thin as possible, effectively allowing it to consume only a single PCIe slot width-wise. The water block is equipped with a rack-style terminal, considerably reducing the assembly height and increasing the chassis compatibility.

By spanning the entire PCB, the water block directly cools the GPU, HBM VRAM, and the VRM (voltage regulation module) as the cooling liquid is channeled directly over these critical areas.




EK-Pro GPU WB A100 80 GB Rack - Nickel + Inox water blocks use an Open Split-Flow cooling engine design which proved to be a superior solution for GPU water blocks. It is characterized by low hydraulic flow restriction, which means it can be used with weaker water pumps or pumps running on low-speed settings and still achieve top performance. The lowered coolant flow requirement makes it an ideal solution for multi-GPU workstations and servers. The jet plate and fin structure geometry have been optimized to provide even flow distribution with minimal losses and optimal performances even when used in reversed water flow scenarios.

The base of the block is CNC machined out of nickel-plated electrolytic copper, while the top is laser-cut out of industry-grade stainless steel. The sealing is ensured by high-quality EPDM O-Rings. The brass standoffs are already pre-installed and allow for a safe and easy installation procedure.

For added stability and protection of the graphics card, the I/O plate is now an integral part of the water block top itself, which means the block replaces the stock I/O shield and adds more sturdiness to the whole assembly. The integrated single-slot I/O plate also benefits more compact workstation and server environments, where space and PCIe slot spacing is at a premium. This design enables the card only to consume a single PCIe x16 slot, leaving the surrounding slots available for other add-in cards. The EK-Pro Rack GPU water blocks conform to the standard Full Height Full Width (FHFW) server chassis form factor, making them a drop-in replacement for active and passive dual-slot air coolers.

The EK-Pro GPU WB A100 80 GB Rack water block features a POM-machined terminal block at the back and features two G1/4" ports, enabling easy integration with EK-Pro QDC kits and manifolds for high compute density applications.

We recommend you refer to the EK Cooling Configurator for a precise compatibility match. We are checking compatible graphics cards and adding them to the database daily.

Availability and Pricing
EK-Pro GPU WB A100 80 GB Rack - Nickel + Inox water block is manufactured and assembled in Slovenia, Europe, and is available for pre-order through the EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network. The product is expected to start shipping in late December 2022. The table below shows the manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP), VAT included.


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[Ruru]

Is custom water cooling a thing in the professional/enterprise world? I know that there exists OEM solutions, but custom loop?

 

[MentalAcetylide]

Is custom water cooling a thing in the professional/enterprise world? I know that there exists OEM solutions, but custom loop?

Doesn't make much sense to me either since companies that use cards like this commonly have everything housed in a controlled environment.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

The world's most powerful supercomputer is water cooled. I used to work for the company that supplied part of the distilled water they used in the loop.

To be fair, it also used different types of accelerators.

Really, a cooling tower is around $500/ton, which should get your temperature where you need (100F max). For double that, you could get a chiller to have excellent control and ~45F water temperatures. The types of units required to maintain the "controlled environment" you mentioned run around $8000/ton. With economies of scale, maybe as low as $5000/ton... Still 5x-10x the price.

 

[HBSound]

I am excited EK is making more professional GPU coolers for standard cards - 3090/4090. I prefer the professional cooler in my PC case over the large 3 wide active water coolers. I had a dual 3090 and lost the PCI slots once I applied water cooling. For the longest, I consistanty requested EK to produce them, even if I had to particular order. I swapped out the dual 3090 for a single A6000. Now I have all my PCI slots, and I have a professional-looking GPU Cooler. Up close they are the best-looking cooler I have seen and used. EK is nice at what they do, but it does come with a price.

Will I have need this GPU - maybe one day, so I will keep this on my short list!

 

[MentalAcetylide]

The world's most powerful supercomputer is water cooled. I used to work for the company that supplied part of the distilled water they used in the loop.

To be fair, it also used different types of accelerators.

Really, a cooling tower is around $500/ton, which should get your temperature where you need (100F max). For double that, you could get a chiller to have excellent control and ~45F water temperatures. The types of units required to maintain the "controlled environment" you mentioned run around $8000/ton. With economies of scale, maybe as low as $5000/ton... Still 5x-10x the price.

Yeah, but when someone mentions "enterprise", I'm thinking of the more common companies that have small server rooms that are around 12-15 square feet in size, which would be peanuts for them since the rooms are at 18.3 C separately within an overall environment that is usually kept at 21.1-22.2 C. However, I would agree, may not be economical if like 75% of the company consists of rooms that generate heat from hardware and you have the AC & computer hardware constantly fighting one another with the environmental temp.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Oh yes. The thing is, these are data center accelerators, not Enterprise. Think AWS or Azure.

 

[AKBrian]

Oh yes. The thing is, these are data center accelerators, not Enterprise. Think AWS or Azure.

"Edge compute" or custom HPC systems from outfits like Comino are idea for blocks like these. Maximum processing power in a small package.

GPU Waterblock for NVIDIA A100 80Gb | Waterblocks

GPU Waterblock for NVIDIA A100 80Gb - Comino — professional liquid-cooled GPU & FPGA-based supercomputers, render stations and forensics for retail, business and data centers. Worldwide warranty and support!

www.comino.com

Always good to have more sources for custom cooling.