MSI introduces AI Server Platforms with Liquid Cooling at SC23, Revolutionizing Performance

MSI, a important player in the server industry, is taking center stage at SC23, the premier supercomputing conference, to showcase its latest GPU and CXL memory expansion servers. These servers are powered by top-of-the-line AMD EPYC processors and 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, offering optimized performance for enterprises, organizations, and data centers.

As the exponential growth of human- and machine-generated data continues to surge, the demand for increased data center compute performance is becoming more pressing. In response to this demand, Liquid Cooling has emerged as a key trend in the industry. Danny Hsu, General Manager of Enterprise Platform Solutions at MSI, recognizes this trend and emphasizes that their server platforms are well-equipped to meet the needs of modern data centers. These platforms can be customized to specific workloads, optimizing performance while aligning with the liquid cooling trend.

MSI’s focus on flexible GPU solutions is particularly noteworthy for the high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) markets. The company offers a wide range of GPU platforms, ranging from four to eight GPUs. One standout platform is the G4201, a powerful 4U supercomputer that can accommodate up to eight double-wide PCIe 5.0 x16 slots for high-performance GPU cards. With dual 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors and 32 DDR4 DIMMs, the G4201 delivers exceptional heterogeneous computing capabilities for GPU-based scientific high-performance computing, Generative AI, and inference applications. Additionally, it boasts twelve 2.5-inch drive bays for enhanced functionality.

For AI inference computing workloads, MSI presents the G4101, a 4U system that supports a single AMD EPYC 9004 Series processor with a liquid cooling module. This platform offers 12 DDR5 RDIMM slots, four PCIe 5.0 triple slots for GPU cards, two PCIe 5.0 full-height full-length expansion slots, and twelve front 2.5-inch U.2 NVMe drive bays.

The G3101, a 3U single-socket platform, is another noteworthy addition to MSI’s GPU lineup. It can accommodate up to four double-wide PCIe slots for professional GPU cards, eight DDR4 DIMMs, and six 2.5-inch tool-less drive bays. Powered by a single AMD EPYC 7003 Series processor with an integrated liquid cooling feature, the G3101 is an ideal computing workhorse for enterprises and data centers.

In addition to their GPU products, MSI is also unveiling two Compute Express Link (CXL) memory expansion servers: the S1301 and S2302. These servers are specifically optimized for data-intensive workloads and in-memory databases. The S1301, a compact 1U server platform, supports dual-socket AMD EPYC 9004 series processors and provides 24 DDR5 DIMM slots, ten PCIe 5.0 x8 E3.S CXL drive bays, and two PCIe 5.0 x16 slots. By incorporating CXL memory, this platform can extend its memory capacity by up to an impressive 11 TB.

Meanwhile, the S2302, a robust 2U server platform, is equipped with dual-socket 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, 32 DDR5 DIMM slots, and five PCIe 5.0 x16 slots. With eight E3.S CXL drive bays and two ES3.S PCIe 5.0 SSD slots, this system can further enhance its memory capacity by up to a staggering 12 TB.

MSI’s latest GPU and CXL memory expansion servers are a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the evolving needs of enterprises, organizations, and data centers. With their well-balanced hardware foundation, customizable configurations, and support for liquid cooling, these servers are poised to make a significant impact in the industry. Visitors at SC23 can experience the power and capabilities of these servers firsthand at MSI’s booth (#1592) at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver from November 13 to 16.

Background Information

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About AMD: AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

  

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About MSI: MSI (Micro-Star International) is a globally recognized company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of a wide range of computer products. With a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1986, MSI has emerged as a key player in the technology industry, consistently delivering innovative solutions that cater to the needs of both casual users and hardcore enthusiasts. The company's product portfolio encompasses a diverse array of products, including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktops, monitors, and various gaming peripherals. MSI's commitment to quality and performance is evident in its dedication to technologies, sleek designs, and rigorous testing standards. for its gaming-focused products under the MSI Gaming brand, the company has earned a reputation for delivering high-performance components that enhance the gaming experience.

  

Technology Explained

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DDR4: DDR4 is a generation of Double Data Rate (DDR) dynamic random access memory (RAM) technology. It is a type of RAM that utilizes a higher clock frequency and is more power-efficient than its predecessors. As a result, it is capable of processing data more quickly than other RAM in the computer industry. Its increased speed and power efficiency are beneficial for applications such as gaming, rendering, and machine learning. It is designed for high-performance computing and enables faster access to stored information, resulting in better overall performance for the user. Furthermore, because of its low voltage requirements it requires less power consumption, making it an attractive option for many computer systems. DDR4 is set to become the primary RAM in most computer systems as the industry transitions away from its predecessors.

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DDR5: DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) is the next generation of memory technology for the computer industry. It is a modern day improvement on earlier DDR technologies, with faster speeds, greater bandwidth and higher capacities. DDR5 enables higher resolution, seamless gaming experiences and faster data transfer rates, making it an ideal choice for high-performance computing and 4K gaming. With its greater RAM compatibility, DDR5 provides faster buffering times and raised clock speeds, giving users an improved overall work system. DDR5 is also optimized for multi-tasking, allowing users to multitask without experiencing a significant drop in performance, increasing the productivity of digital tasks. As an ever-evolving technology, DDR5 is paving the way for the computer industry into a new and powerful era.

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EPYC: EPYC is a technology designed by computer chip manufacturer AMD for use in the server and data center industry. It was introduced in June 2017 and features an innovative design to improve performance and power efficiency. EPYC processor technology is based on an innovative 14nm processor architecture, allowing up to 32 high-performance cores in a single socket. This allows for more efficient processing power, increased memory bandwidth, and greater compute density. EPYC is now widely used in the data center and cloud computing industry and provides benefits such as greater scalability, increased resource efficiency, and advanced virtualization capabilities. Additionally, EPYC technology is used in data intensive servers like server farms, gaming, and virtualization platforms. EPYC ensures that even with large deployments in multi-processor environments, power consumption and performance levels are optimized to ensure maximum efficiency.

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GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

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Liquid Cooling: Liquid cooling is a technology used to cool down computer components, such as processors, graphics cards, and other components that generate a lot of heat. It works by circulating a liquid coolant, such as water or a special coolant, through a series of pipes and radiators. The liquid absorbs the heat from the components and then dissipates it into the air. This technology is becoming increasingly popular in the computer industry due to its ability to provide more efficient cooling than traditional air cooling methods. Liquid cooling can also be used to overclock components, allowing them to run at higher speeds than their rated speeds. This technology is becoming increasingly popular in the gaming industry, as it allows gamers to get the most out of their hardware.

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NVMe: Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) is a newly developed technology that has been gaining traction in the computer industry. This technology is a standard interface which allows for high-speed storage and retrieval of data from solid state drives (SSDs). NVMe is designed to increase the speed of data transfers in storage systems by enabling a direct connection to PCI Express (PCIe) bus, resulting in significantly faster access times compared to traditional interface protocols such SSDs. NVMe is particularly useful for applications that require lightning-fast access to large amounts of high-value data. NVMe-based SSDs are being widely adopted in the computer industry and are being employed to power data centers, high-end workstations, and gaming machines to support lightning-fast data processing and retrieval, which unlocks possibilities for machine learning, real-time analytics, edge computing, and other cutting-edge applications. NVMe is proving to be an invaluable tool in the field of computing, offering immense

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PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

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SSD: A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a modern data storage device that employs flash memory technology to store data electronically. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in significantly faster read and write speeds. This leads to quicker boot times, faster application loading, and smoother overall system performance. SSDs are known for their durability, shock resistance, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for laptops, ultrabooks, and other portable devices. They come in various form factors, including 2.5-inch, M.2, and PCIe cards, and are favored for their reliability, quiet operation, and reduced heat generation

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Xeon: The Intel Xeon processor is a powerful and reliable processor used in many computer systems. It is a multi-core processor that is designed to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. It is used in servers, workstations, and high-end desktop computers. It is also used in many embedded systems, such as routers and switches. The Xeon processor is known for its high performance and scalability, making it a popular choice for many computer applications. It is also used in many cloud computing applications, as it is capable of handling large amounts of data and providing high levels of performance. The Xeon processor is also used in many scientific and engineering applications, as it is capable of handling complex calculations and simulations.