Hot Server

Generally we try and keep computer chips cool as they run. Colder means better performance. This usually means air-conditioning data centres, which makes up a big chunk of the lecky bill.

Military grade chips are often rated as high as 125°C. Silicon is clearly capable of running at high temperatures, even if it means reduced performance.

Proposed is a computer data centre that is designed to operate at the boiling point of water under normal conditions. Phase-change heatpipes would connect each processor to some heavy-gauge water pipes that run along the racks.

Numerous benefits manifest. Since a bigger temperature difference means greater heat loss, the cooling system would be more efficient. Just-boiling water isn't really hot enough for efficient electrical energy recovery, but is perfect for supplying domestic hot water to nearby houses. The enormous latent heat for boiling water means it would take ages to boil off all of the water, and until then it would be impossible for the system to overheat. Lastly, data centres should be built adjacent to steam museums, which often cannot run their demonstrations on a daily basis because of the cost of heating their boilers. This should take off the edge.

The only disadvantage I can think of is the sysadmins would have to wear full-body cooling apparatus. But, these could be styled like Victorian diving suits, which would make them stylish and fun to wear.