Rack power
AI Rack Power & Cooling Estimator
Use this estimator to translate GPU count, server overhead, rack density, and PUE into rack kW, heat rejection, and facility power.
The output helps buyers decide whether ordinary air cooling is enough, whether rear-door or direct-to-chip cooling should be tested, and what to ask a colocation provider.
Calculator inputs
Scenario defaults are editable. Replace them with current quotes, utility tariffs, tax counsel inputs, or engineering values before relying on the output.
Air or rear-door review
Modeled outcome
Request facility evidence for breaker capacity, heat rejection, liquid loop readiness, and commissioning at this rack density.
GPU load
358 kW
IT load
542 kW
Facility load
677 kW
Rack density
16.93 kW
Cooling load
1,849,042 BTU/hr
Cooling load
154 tons
Annual energy
5,934 MWh
Annual energy cost
$0.5M
Decision checks
- IT load: 541.9 kW
- Rack density: 16.9 kW/rack
- Cooling load: 154.1 tons
How does the rack power model work?
The estimator multiplies GPU count by board power and a server-overhead factor, applies a power safety margin, divides the load across racks, and converts IT power into facility power through PUE. Heat load is reported in kW and tons because nearly all IT power becomes heat. Cooling fit is based on sustained rack density bands, with buyer verification required for allowable inlet conditions, liquid supply temperature, redundancy, leak detection, water treatment, and service procedures.
What should buyers verify before using the result?
- GPU model, utilization, power capping, network design, and power supply efficiency can materially change the result.
- A rack-density fit label does not prove a facility can accept the deployment; verify breaker, busway, floor loading, heat rejection, and operating procedures.
- Liquid cooling type should be matched to actual server cold-plate or immersion certification requirements.
Related guides and tools
Which sources support this rack power model?
| Source | Use in this tool | Link |
|---|---|---|
| ASHRAE TC 9.9 liquid cooling white paper | Liquid cooling design context for high-density data centers. | Open |
| ASHRAE 2021 equipment thermal guidelines reference card | Thermal class reference for air and liquid-cooled IT equipment. | Open |
| Data Center Dynamics coverage of ASHRAE liquid cooling guidance | Industry context for newer liquid cooling guidance. | Open |
| Netrality high-density colocation for AI and GPU infrastructure | High-density rack power and GPU colocation context. | Open |
| TRG guide to colocation for GPUs | GPU colocation power and density buying criteria. | Open |
| Flexential liquid cooling for high-density colocation | High-density colocation and liquid cooling fit context. | Open |
| Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2025 | Data center efficiency and operations benchmark context. | Open |
| LBNL PUE comprehensive examination | Foundational PUE metric definition and limitations. | Open |