Can low VA uninterrupted power supply (UPS) damage a PSU?

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unitedopinions

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Apr 19, 2013
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I use a Microtek SEBZ 900 ( https://www.flipkart.com/microtek-ups-sebz-900-va-pure-sine-wave-inverter/p/itmebmdcsza5qm88 ) uninterrupted power supply, which gives power to 4-5 light fixtures and ceiling fans in the house. But the main things that draw power out of it are two desktop computers:
1) AMD FX 8350, Asus M5A97 R 2.0 board, Radeon HD 6670 graphic card, 60 GB SSD and 500 GB SATA HDD
2) Intel i5 4670k, B85M-G board, onboard graphics, 60 GB SSD and 500 GB SATA HDD

Both desktop computers have Corsair VS450 PSU's.

The AMD computer obviously draws a lot more than the Intel one. Some time ago the desktop with AMD 8350 processor started randomly restarting. Based on the feedback in another thread I figured that its the PSU that's the culprit. So, as a quick fix, I just swapped the PSU's of the Intel and AMD desktops. It solved the problem but after 6 months, the AMD computer has again stopped showing display. After verifying that the graphic card is working, and resetting the BIOS, I called a computer technician checked and has said that the PSU is causing it.

My question: The AMD configuration has made 2 Corsair VS 450 PSU's to malfunction in such a quick succession, while they worked well with Intel configuration. Could it happen that the Uninterrupted Power supply is not enough. And can this damage the PSU? Do I need to get a higher VA uninterrupted power supply to avoid damaging the PSU's in the future?
 
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unitedopinions

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Apr 19, 2013
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I just added more details to my original question. Can you please have a look?
 
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terry4536

terry4536

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Mar 28, 2010
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There are pure sine wave UPS that are supposed to be more compatible with "Active PFC Power Supplies".

I'm not convinced that they are any better.

The Corsair VS and CX series of power supplies are not very good quality. Before investing in a higher VA UPS, I would invest in a better quality of power supply.
 
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unitedopinions

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Apr 19, 2013
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Okay, thanks. Are you saying that the UPS should not be a factor in drastically reducing the life of a PSU, or damaging it? It has to be the poor build quality only? In that case how do these same PSU's work in the Intel i5 setup, which uses less power and doesn't have a graphics card? It seems only when the PSU has to put in extra efforts to pull more power, it fails / gets damaged?
 
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terry4536

terry4536

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Mar 28, 2010
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There is a simple solution. Don't use the UPS. It only gives you a few minuets to shut the system down without loosing data anyway.

I have used them at work, but I never got around to getting one for home use. And now I question their value for my own use. I do use some quality surge suppressors though.
 
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unitedopinions

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Apr 19, 2013
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Well, the UPS I use is backed by a tubular battery. It powers the light fixtures in the house in addition to the computers and provides a backup of 3 to 4 hours. Power outages in summers are not uncommon here so long backups are essential.
 
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terry4536

terry4536

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Mar 28, 2010
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So then perhaps a combination of higher quality power supplies and a pure sine wave UPS.

I do know that the UPS units at work were regular APC UPS units (high VA though). We had no unusual issues with failing power supplies. I do very much remember the irritating alarm buzzers going off all over the room when a power surge or power outage occurred.
 
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