NVIDIA Collaborates With Navitas For Next Generation 800 V HVDC Architecture
NVIDIA collaborates with Navitas to revolutionize AI data center power with a new 800V HVDC infrastructure, cutting costs and boosting efficiency.
Summary
- NVIDIA collaborates with Navitas to power its next-gen AI GPUs using 800V HVDC architecture.
- The new system enables up to 5% better power efficiency and 70% lower maintenance costs.
- Navitas’ GaN and SiC technologies will deliver power from grid to GPU in megawatt-scale racks.
NVIDIA Collaborates With Navitas: Redefining Data Center Power With 800V HVDC
NVIDIA collaborates with Navitas to usher in a new era for AI data center infrastructure. Their joint 800V HVDC architecture replaces the aging 54V system that has reached its power density limits. Traditional data centers struggle to scale beyond a few hundred kilowatts per rack, but NVIDIA’s Kyber rack systems, powered by the new architecture, are designed to support 1 megawatt and beyond.
With demand for AI compute skyrocketing, NVIDIA aims to deliver greater efficiency and reliability across rack-scale systems like Rubin Ultra. Their strategy uses solid state transformers (SSTs) to convert 13.8kV AC directly to 800V DC at the perimeter, eliminating multiple power conversion steps and reducing infrastructure complexity.
Benefits of the 800V HVDC Architecture
Switching to 800V power enables a 45% reduction in copper wire thickness, significantly lowering both material use and weight. Traditional 54V systems require more than 200kg of copper to power a 1MW rack. The new architecture slashes that, delivering the same power with less heat and fewer losses.
Key improvements include:
- 5% gain in end-to-end power efficiency
- 70% lower maintenance costs thanks to reduced PSU failures
- Lower cooling costs by directly connecting HVDC to compute racks
Navitas: The Technology Powerhouse Behind the Change
Navitas brings its GaNFast™ and GeneSiC™ power semiconductors to the table. The company’s GaNSafe™ power ICs are known for integrated control, drive, sensing, and protection, making them the safest and most reliable in the industry. These features include short-circuit protection with 350ns max latency and ESD protection on all pins.
Navitas’ GeneSiC™ trench-assisted planar SiC MOSFETs offer top-tier thermal performance—reducing case temperature by 25°C and extending lifespan by up to 3x compared to alternatives. These are crucial for high-reliability, high-power tasks in AI data centers.
Full Grid-to-GPU Coverage
From 13.8kV AC grid input to 48V-54V GPU output, Navitas components manage every conversion step. Their medium-voltage GaN devices (80V-120V) handle secondary-side DC-DC conversions, ensuring high speed and compact footprints. They’ve demonstrated continuous progress, from a 3.2kW CRPS in 2023 to a recent 12kW PSU showcased at Computex 2025, meeting Open Compute Project standards.
IntelliWeave™: Efficiency Game Changer
The partnership also leverages Navitas’ IntelliWeave™ digital control technology. Combined with their GaNSafe and Gen 3-Fast SiC MOSFETs, it pushes PFC peak efficiency to 99.3%, while cutting power losses by 30% compared to legacy solutions. These advancements are critical for the growing needs of power-hungry GPUs.
Pros
- Massive copper savings with 800V power distribution
- Improved energy efficiency and system reliability
- Navitas’ proven GaN and SiC solutions already powering industry-first 12kW PSUs
Cons
- No direct negatives reported—though implementation across existing infrastructures may take time
Conclusion
The collaboration between NVIDIA and Navitas is a bold leap toward reshaping data center power architecture. With scalability, efficiency, and sustainability at its core, the 800V HVDC initiative promises to power the future of AI at lower cost and higher performance. For Navitas, this partnership validates their role as a technological leader in the high-power semiconductor space.
FAQs
Q: What does the 800V HVDC system replace?
A: It replaces traditional 54V DC systems, which struggle with power density and copper usage in high-load AI data centers.
Q: How much copper can this architecture save?
A: It reduces copper requirements by 45%, going from over 200kg to around 110kg for a 1MW rack.
Q: What is GaNSafe?
A: GaNSafe is a power IC from Navitas with integrated protection and control, designed for safe and reliable high-power applications.
