What APC backup battery should I get?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
V

Viscte

Distinguished
May 7, 2011
101
0
18,680
I'm using a Corsair AXi Series, AX1500i, 1500 Watt (1500W), Fully Modular Digital Power Supply, 80+ Titanium Certified.

The idiot heating guys cut my power on accident and it's worrying me that my computer components were damaged since I was downloading files and it got me thinking about a backup battery. My computer costed me thousands.
 
Solution
M
The power-on surge can be managed. Don't turn on everything at once, for instance. With a previous UPS, turning on the CRT crashed the UPS on overload. So moved the CRT to a separate power strip. With UPS since then, I turn on the CRT by itself first, then everything else. Didn't keep that UPS (a Belkin "900VA" that probably wasn't, and was noisy and always hot even when "off") long on that system, though, because it probably would have died early. Moved it to a lighter load. Cyberpower 900 was much more tolerant of turn-on transients but I still did the CRT first, then the computer after the UPS self-test was done. Recently moved up to a 1500VA unit that just works. 500VA computer power supply so in theory the 900's should have been...
Sort by date Sort by votes
Bearmann

Bearmann

Splendid
Sep 14, 2015
2,880
110
23,490
I've emailed both APC and Cyberpower and received conflicting answers as to whether the UPS size should be based on the maximum load or on the size of the PSU. As I remember the one promoting sizing it based on the PSU was due to an initial surge of power when first turning on the computer (though I wonder if this occurs with quality PSU's like you have). So based on PSU size, I think that you will need at least a 2000 Va unit. I believe the APC units which have sine wave outputs for PFC power supplies is their Smart series. I imagine it will run $400-$500. Cyberpower generally makes less expensive sine wave (PFC) units so I would look there too.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

Viscte

Distinguished
May 7, 2011
101
0
18,680
I have no idea how to fill that out. My hardware is:

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-5960X-Haswell-Processor-BX80648I75960X/dp/B00MMLXIHM?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

http://www.amazon.com/RAMPAGE-EXTREME-Extended-Motherboard-2011-V3/dp/B00N1QKUQO?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-DOMINATOR-Platinum-2666MHz-CMD16GX4M4A2666C15/dp/B00MPIEDWG?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-HAF-Computer-Windowed/dp/B00BCXF6MG?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

I have two GTX Titan X in sli. I have a 1k SSD. Thanks
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Bearmann

Bearmann

Splendid
Sep 14, 2015
2,880
110
23,490
Is anything overclocked? Well, the GPU's each take 75W form the slot plus a 6 pin (75W) and an 8 pin (150W) and the i7 TDP is 140W. Is anything overclocked? Add in some fans and assorted stuff, say 50 watts. So in total about 800W from the PSU. The PSU is 90% efficient, so that's 800/0.9= 888W. Add in a large LCD monitor and we're up to 925-950W. So based on load you can probably get by with a 1000W/1500VA unit. I would put a deal alert in for this sine wave unit at slickdeals using model number CP1500PFCLCD. It probably goes on sale at least once every quarter. I wouldn't get anything smaller.

https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/ups/pfc-sinewave/cp1500pfclcd

The comparable APC unit is more expensive.

http://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/products/APC-Smart-UPS-1500VA-LCD-120V/P-SMT1500

If you really want the APC, you can look for a refurbished one. The price really goes up beyond 1000 watts. Most PSU's really don't require a true sine wave, but I'm erring on the side of caution. You could email Corsair and ask them about your specific PSU.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

Viscte

Distinguished
May 7, 2011
101
0
18,680
Nothing is overclocked. My monitor is a 4k 28 inch. How important is it that I have one of these? I'm new to this market. What do I need to know about these? Thanks for the help
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

Viscte

Distinguished
May 7, 2011
101
0
18,680
Also some of the reviews are asking if it will cover a 1200watt power supply. Answers suggest it will not if you use the maximum. Do I want to buy it for what I'm currently using or for the power supply that I do have? I also do high end video rendering.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

Viscte

Distinguished
May 7, 2011
101
0
18,680


I was assuming it has limitations. My power supply is 1500 watt. Don't I need one that covers that range?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Bearmann

Bearmann

Splendid
Sep 14, 2015
2,880
110
23,490


Yes, I think the safest thing is to get one that covers at least 1500 watts (PSU + monitor). Here is the APC model that seems to fit your needs:

http://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/products/APC-Smart-UPS-2200VA-LCD-120V/P-SMT2200

Here is the comparable Cyberpower model:

https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/ups/smart-app-sinewave/pr2200lcd

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1032515&gclid=CNHGwsLCscwCFQkwaQodJFgDUQ&is=REG&ap=y&c3api=1876%2C52934714882%2C&A=details&Q=

Really, I would call APC at 877-272-2722 and discuss it with them. APC and other resellers also sell refurbished units. I would inquire about those too. Do a search for APC UPS Refurbished.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

Viscte

Distinguished
May 7, 2011
101
0
18,680
They asked me if I'll have anything else plugged into it then assumed I had some sort of basic computer until I told them my power supply. Then based on that alone they recommended it. They said they wanted to assume for the worst case where I'd use the entire amount of power.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

Viscte

Distinguished
May 7, 2011
101
0
18,680
Alright thank you very much for the help. That's a relief because having to spend over $800 for a giant battery that weighs more than my computer seems a little bit crazy. How long do you think the recommended smaller version will last?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Bearmann

Bearmann

Splendid
Sep 14, 2015
2,880
110
23,490
I can't find my emails to APC and Cyberpower, but I did find this link I had saved. Look for application #147 if it doesn't show up. My understanding from this paper is that you should base it on the PSU size, not the load. Unfortunately after receiving conflicting answers from APC and CP, I could not get them to return my email and clarify some points.

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/RMUZ-7DTKRC/RMUZ-7DTKRC_R1_EN.pdf?sdirect=true
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Bearmann

Bearmann

Splendid
Sep 14, 2015
2,880
110
23,490
This one is even more to the point:

http://www.apc.com/site/support/us/en/faq/

Look for number FA158939

So I think you need the bigger one, though it may be less expensive to get a smaller PSU and the smaller UPS to go with it. I think the take home message here is not to buy a larger PSU than you need, especially when you get to the 1000 watt category. You could also save money by going with a refurbished model. I saw one around $400 for the larger APC, but I hesitate to link to them as I have no experience with the company.

You should also email Corsair too, as that PSU may not require pure sine wave and that would save some money if you could use a simulated sine wave instead.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

Viscte

Distinguished
May 7, 2011
101
0
18,680
I'm reading a lot of mixed answers as well. Some say it can damage the battery if I use that much and others say having one that is more than you technically need is only good to provide additional battery life.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Bearmann

Bearmann

Splendid
Sep 14, 2015
2,880
110
23,490


You misread what I wrote. I was talking about buying a larger PSU than you need (which you did for 2 way SLI). There is no harm in getting a larger UPS than you need except cost, especially when it comes time to replace the batteries. I imagine that is correct that if you undersize your UPS, it could be damaged by having to handle a load it was not built for.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom