What size UPS should I get?

Aurora

10 minutes of backup power would be adequate.

CPU: Dual P3 600
RAM: 1G
Video card: NVIDIA Ti500
Hard drive: 1 SCSI 10000rpm
Optical drives: 2
Floppy drive: 1
NIC, sound card, 4 case fans
Monitor: 17" CRT

I'd like to also include my router and DSL modem, but I don't have to.

>GSXR<mrbusa

There are too many to list an exact model or rated output. There is such a huge margin of quality and rated runtimes that it should be criminal. I would say that any APC , Belkin , or Cyberpower 250+ watt unit would give you about ten minutes including the router and modem. From experience though I have found that unless you have cable internet there is really no point in having them backed up.

Aurora

I would like to include the router and DSL modem so downloads will not be wrecked by the power going out for 1-5 seconds. Fortunately, those glitches don't happen nearly as much as they did in 2005-6. I also lose power for 1 minute when the landlord decides to test the diesel generator that powers the hall lights and elevator during an outage.

But for when longer outages occur (fortunately, none this year so far) I want at least 10 minutes to ensure I can save documents and shut down.

PangingJr

500-600VA will able to handle the computer system you listed above, but for a better backup time try something not less than 1000VA UPS if you can.

>GSXR<mrbusa

They lie about the " VA " rating. Just use a guideline of rated max wattage output of 250 to 300 watts for your specific system and it will save you allot of money. If you plan on upgrading before the UPS dies then get a more expensive unit with a 500w+/1000+ VA rating.

PangingJr

hmm, interesting, it can be that some of the people who makes USP always lies, but some are always tells the truth. just like another and every things in our life. lol.

>GSXR<mrbusa

You know how it is man. Have you ever tried to skimp on buying batteries for a flashlight or radio? Just because all D cells for example look exactly the same do not mean you will get the same amount of usage time from them. Just going by the VA rating for a UPS choice is the same as just going for a D cell.

PangingJr

okay that's interesting theory you are right.

every one don't read my post #4.

>GSXR<mrbusa

Technically you are more than right and can walk circles around 90% of people on the net. I am just saying to pay attention to the brand because not all UPS's are created equal, especially on the lower end. If he was looking for a UPS to power a modern system and was looking in the high end of the spectrum then my little theory means less and less the higher you go.

I know better than to argue with you PangingJr. You have made me look stupid on more than one occasion. Nowadays I make sure that unless I know something absolute that my theories are just that, theories. You hit it right on the nail head.

PangingJr

c'mon i mean what i said, you are right on this. i really can't tell you i know better than that. i guess i always buy UPS from a well-reputation manufacturer and i use them year in, year out. and whenever i buy a small UPS unit, i get used to just know what size of the UPS i want at the time and call the store to send me a 600VA, 1200VA, 2000VA, like that, lol.

Judas

IMO, for todays typical machines (office), i'd suggest no less then a 500VA rated UPS.....

For the midrange system however, a 850va is my suggested minimum, and for the higher end, 1000-1500va

I prefer APC UPSes

PangingJr

where you been Judas I miss reading your post

Judas

busy.... harvest has started.... so i'm gonna be available much less until about november.

H3X4D3C1M4L

Don't back up so far on that one. You're absolutely right and I found your comparison to be accurate and very understandable.

Look at a ton of UPS's on the net and you'll see that for example that Brand A has a 1000VA rating but gets 600W, and maybe so does Brand B, C, D... then Brand E gives you a 1000VA rating but is good for only 570W.

There's more to a UPS than just the battery. There's the transformers and such...surge protection... line filters etc.

To make another comparison, looking at the VA rating on a UPS and making your decision purely based on that is somewhat like saying that a 300HP Honda is the same as a 300HP BMW.

>GSXR<mrbusa

I am glad someone understood what I was trying to say.

PangingJr

hmm, he already did, and did it by himself i didn't ask him to back up or anything.

>GSXR<mrbusa

I didn't back out of anything.
Your technical explanation is right and that is all I stated. Read my post again.

PangingJr

i said back up, not back out.

i thought you back up me above, no?

H3X4D3C1M4L

There was no technical explanation... quoting a spec sheet from a manufacturer's site you found on Google doesn't explain anything.