The Eco-Rack Proof of Concept demonstrates how server-level changes--such as moving to servers equipped with new energy-efficient processors, converting to DC power delivery to servers, activating Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology in the BIOS, and using more efficient 2 GB memory modules--can deliver significant savings at the rack-level for today's data centers. Incorporating these changes resulted in an overall savings of up to 18 percent measured total power savings when running compute-intensive enterprise applications such as SPECjbb, a warehousing application simulating many transactions at the same time.

Many of these "small" changes are things data center managers can do today. Specifying best-in-class, energy-efficient components in everything from server processors to PSUs and memory modules can go a long way to saving energy and reducing TCO. So can utilizing power optimization features and settings. Other changes, such as DC power components, will take more time for the industry to adopt.