The Definitive Guide toAI Data Centers
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GuideGlossaryW45

W45

ASHRAE's liquid-cooling classes keyed to maximum facility-water supply temperature, where a higher number means warmer water: less chiller capex and heat-reuse potential, less thermal headroom.

Also written as: W17 · W27 · W32 · W40

Current numbers

up to ~45 °C supply / ~65 °C return (W45-class)GB200 NVL72 coolant acceptance envelope — supply / return (ASHRAE W45-class); ~25 °C was NVIDIA's operating example, not a limitas of 2026 · register ↗
~45 °Cwarm-water inlet band (W40/W45) GB200 & Rubin target — enables near-year-round chiller-less free coolingas of 2026 · register ↗
up to ~45 °C supply / ~65 °C return (W45-class)GB200 NVL72 rack coolant acceptance envelope (ASHRAE W45-class) — warm-water operation is the design intent; colder supply buys thermal margin, at chiller costas of 2026 · register ↗

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