best UPS for budget PC

Vyom21 · Oct 15, 2018

What would be a decent UPS for a budget PC? I used to have a 15 year old APC UPS that worked fine until I shifted, and now It doesn't even power on, I am guessing the movers tossed my stuff around. APC says that I wont find parts for it anymore so I'd have to get a new one. My entire setup is 15 years old, I've only upgraded the case internals, and had to replace the monitor. I am on a tight budget, I also want something that is reliable, I don't wish to go as low as to buy some cheap UPS that doesn't even do it's job. I am only looking for enough power that allows me to safely shut my PC down without inflicting trauma to my Hard Disk. My specs are listed below:

WINDOWS 10:

i5 4460
4GB * 2 Gkill DDR3
GTX1050 Zotac (mobo powered)
WD Blue 1TB
Samsung 850 evo 120GB boot
DVD RW
Seasonic Eco 430w PSU

PERIPHERALS:

Samsung 1360*768 LCD monitor 19in
Standard HP mouse; keyboard
1 HP C3188 Printer
1 modem coaxial
2 HP speakers

I am not looking to run all my peripherals off the UPS, for instance the printer can be directly powered. I don't care about the speakers either as I clearly won't be jamming to music while the power goes off. Just the case and monitor. (maybe just maybe the modem, but not essential at all)

I visited (https://outervision.com/power-supply-calculator) for an estimate of the power draw by my system. Results:

316W Load Wattage
650VA Recommended UPS rating
366W Recommended PSU Wattage

I am not adept at judging UPS specs and brands as I am not familiar with them. Also I live in New Delhi, India, power supply is perfect so I don't really a UPS, but this being India, power isn't really predictable and I don't want to take any chances as there may be fluctuations that I don't notice but the PC does. Budget is 1000 to 4000 rupees. Thank you for taking time out to help me.

guanyu210379 · Oct 15, 2018

For 300-350W max load and
using 0.7 power factor, you should get about 500VA.
using 0.6 power factor, you should get about 600VA.
According to my experience 500VA should be already enough.
500VA should be your very minimum UPS capacity.
Getting bigger UPS will not damage anything...well..perhaps you pocket.

Do not mix up capacity and backup time, for some UPSs, you can add extra battery to prolong the backup time.
Getting higher capacity UPS should give longer back-up time too, indirectly.
You need minimum of back-up time around 10-15 mins, to buy enough time to shut-down the system properly.

You must get a UPS with pure/clean sinewave output to avoid problems with PSU's PFC. Modern good PSUs have such stuff.

Another important tip is to get a UPS with overvoltage protection, voltage stabilizer, etc. already built in. I lived in a country with more or less similar electrical conditions as India, trust me, you will appreciate this.

As which PSU you should pick and how much that cost, I will leave this topic to someone who are more familiar with Indian market.
If you ask which brand, I trust APC the most.

Vyom21 · Nov 25, 2018

guanyu210379 :

I don't think any Indian reviewers are going to jump on here to help, so I will just post a couple of links of the UPSs available, I hope it won't be too much trouble if I asked you to help me out in picking the right one.

APC 1100VA:
https://www.amazon.in/APC-BX1100C-1100VA-230V-Back/dp/B01ELNPG2I/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1543150751&sr=1-5&keywords=APC+UPS

APC 700VA:
https://www.amazon.in/APC-BE700Y-IND-420-watt-Back-Black/dp/B00Y0S1OSU/ref=sr_1_8?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1543150751&sr=1-8&keywords=APC+UPS

APC 600VA :
https://www.flipkart.com/apc-bx600c-in-ups/p/itmedcyjb2hzghzg?pid=UPSEDCYJMTYZDGEK&lid=LSTUPSEDCYJMTYZDGEKHWB5BN&marketplace=FLIPKART&srno=s_1_2&otracker=search&fm=SEARCH&iid=3c5bb5a1-9ad3-41d4-b112-351796a03c0d.UPSEDCYJMTYZDGEK.SEARCH&ppt=Homepage&ppn=Homepage&ssid=wx0aueb1ts0000001543151056337&qH=5204c8c4fcc3950f

I've only ever used my 15 year old APC UPS, so don't really know/ trust other brands, the reviews that a lot of people have left in the comments section are negative. I am confused and would appreciate the guidance a more experienced person such as yourself can provide.

guanyu210379 · Nov 26, 2018

APC BE700Y-IND 420-watt Back UPS = no! this is only 420VA
APC BX600C-IN = no! this has only stepped sinewave, some PSUs will get problems
APC BX1100C-IN = I can not find the datasheet but since the type BXxxxxC, I just assume it is the same as the one with stepped sinewave....also no!

Vyom21 · Dec 4, 2018

guanyu210379 :

https://www.apc.com/shop/in/en/categories/power/uninterruptible-power-supply-ups-/computer-and-peripheral/back-ups/N-1nzwthz here's a link to APCs India website, what's the most price effective UPS I should buy, that checks everything on your list? The BE700Y model according to APC is 700VA; I am not claiming that you're wrong, it is possible that APC is just ripping us off.

guanyu210379 · Dec 5, 2018

APC is the most known brand and yes it is expensive.

BE700Y is still on Stepped approximation to a sinewave. It is not yet the pure/clean/true sinewave.
Some PSUs might still have issue with stepped approximation to a sinewave.
hmmm...there is another option, you can try getting it and try it with your PSU...but make sure you get it from a source which is willing to take it back, if you have problems with it.

Vyom21 · Dec 7, 2018

guanyu210379 :

How do I check if my PSU (Seasonic 430w ECO) has issues with stepped simulated sine-wave? (without purchasing the UPS before I do so?)

Also I couldn't find a single APC UPS that delivers pure sine-wave output here in India, I guess people here give 0 craps about the stuff they purchase. However, I did find this inverter:
https://www.amazon.in/APC-Home-850VA-Sine-BI850SINE/dp/B009Y4BSAE

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