Two Main CDU Architectures for Cold-Plate Indirect Liquid Cooling in AI Data Centers

Centralized In-Row vs Distributed Rack-Mounted: Choosing the Right CDU Architecture for AI Clusters

Cold-plate indirect liquid cooling has become the mainstream thermal solution for high-density AI clusters, with the CDU acting as the core hub that isolates primary-side facility water from secondary-side dielectric coolant through plate heat exchangers, while circulation pumps, regulating valves and sensors maintain steady flow and constant temperature. CDU hardware falls into two categories: centralized in-row cabinet-style units placed between server racks that supply multiple IT racks simultaneously, and distributed rack-mounted 2U/4U units serving only their local rack with mini heat exchangers, built-in pumps, PID-based ECS control and leakage sensors, reducing local pipeline resistance. EXTRCOOL provides one-stop liquid cooling solutions.

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Area 51, NV, USA

EXTRCOOL INDUSTRY LIMITED

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The CDU, the Heart and Brain Liquid Cooling Cannot Do Without

Silent When Healthy, Fatal When Failing: The Five Selection Questions That Decide Whether the CDU Holds the Loop Together

The CDU plays the role the heart plays: it produces no cold, but without it the coolant never moves. Its heart role pumps and distributes via the manifold, while its brain role senses and controls. Selection answers five questions: total flow above all cold plate minimums, head above maximum loop resistance, exchanger capacity above peak load with fouling margin, redunda...

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The Manifold That Decides Where the Coolant Goes

From CDU to Cold Plate and Back: How the Manifold's Flow Distribution, Not Total Flow, Decides Precision Cooling

Rising AI GPU power is moving liquid cooling from whether it can cool to cooling precisely, and the manifold decides whether coolant reaches every position as it should. It distributes coolant through main channels to parallel branches and collects the heated return, following CDU to supply manifold to cold plate to return manifold to CDU. Poor design lets near-end branc...

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How a Liquid Cooling Manifold Gets Made, from Material to Final Acceptance

316L to Helium Testing: The Four Links—Material, Machining, Cleanliness and Verification—That Decide Manifold Quality

Manifold manufacturing starts with material, and 316L is the safer default, with coolant compatibility outweighing thermal conductivity. CNC machining forms main channels, branches and interface holes, where holding channel positions matters more than drilling; one-piece machining avoids weld deformation, while tube and plate assemblies add laser, TIG or brazing. Deburri...

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