Some of the US users may prefer a supplier local to them, it could also be good publicity for the platform if some of these other vendors list Raptor and POWER9 on their web sites.
We can wholesale this system to an U.S. location on request. Not sure if RaptorCS would be interested.
We really chose the low-cost route here to check out demand. We're using an existing high-quality cooler (with different connectors where needed) with a custom-made high-pressure mount. If there is a market big enough, we'll invest in making a completely new cooler for 1U solutions (this only would fit 2U).
Personally, I've found that the dual POWER9 system is so fast that my projects are finished compiling in less than 30 seconds. In that time period, the CPU doesn't get hot enough for the fans to make a crazy noise.
There are use-cases that require a more quiet setup, of course if you don't need it like with your use-case there's no need to spend extra $ for a water cooler.
I found the IBM HSFs quiet enough when idle as well, for everything else, like office or living room situations, those HSFs are unusable IMO.
The reason for using water cooling for POWER in a data center, at least for us, is space and using a water/glycol heat exchanger for heating nearby offices, especially with energy being very expensive in our area.
I went looking for more adventurous solutions too, for example, external chillers and heat exchangers. This could be interesting for people who can dump the heat into a thermal store. For example, you can basically rack a couple of Talos II servers in your basement and 90% of the electricity will heat water for your shower.
This could be a fun side project indeed! In order for this to be economically feasible I'd think you'd have to have more than one computer though
