What level UPS will I need?

Scou

Distinguished
Feb 20, 2009
61
0
18,630
I've got all my computer parts but I'm trying to figure out what strength UPS I need. I only need battery backup for my computer and monitor, but I want to plug my speakers and any other peripherals I have into surge protection. Any help or advice would be great, thanks.

Here's the part list.

CPU: Core i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

Motherboard: Asus P6T Deluxe v2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365&Tpk=asus%20p6t%20v2

RAM: OCZ Platinum 6GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

GPU: GTX 285
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130446

Case: Cosmos S (using the 4 included case fans)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119150

PSU: Corsair 850tx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850tx

Optical Drive: LG DVD/RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153

CPU Cooler: Zalman 9700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118020

HDD: Velociraptor 300G. Will also be using a WD 500G 7200 that I already have.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136322

and a 500GB 7200 WD hard drive that I already have, don't have a link to it though.

Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102019

Monitor: Samsung 2253bw
http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersaccessories&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS22AQWJFV/XAA

Speakers: Logitech X-540
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121006
 
You didn't tell us how long the system should keep on running when a power outage occurs and what your budget is.

The following units should meet your requirements (3-7 minutes protection at full load):

CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series GreenPower UPS CP1500AVRLCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102048

CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series GreenPower UPS CP1350AVRLCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102070

APC BR1500LCD 1500VA 865 Watts 8 Outlets BACK-UPS RS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101067

APC BR1200 1200 VA 780 Watts 8 Outlets UPS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101006

And if you want a UPS like we use in computer rooms (no phone line protection, but better quality):

APC SUA1000XL 1000 VA 800 Watts
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101159

APC Smart-UPS SUA750XL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101016

 

Scou

Distinguished
Feb 20, 2009
61
0
18,630
Sorry, forgot about putting the time down there. I guess mainly I was looking for what VA and Watts I'd need. 3-7 minutes should be fine, I just want enough time so save my work. Thanks for the help I'll look into those.

Just a question if you know, does the watts rating on the UPS go for everything plugged into it, or just for the stuff using the battery?
 

Siggy19

Distinguished
Mar 5, 2009
144
1
18,690


Just the stuff using the battery.

With most UPSes you can set them to automatically go into hibernate mode when the power dies, which may be the safest option... If you happen to be on the potty when the power fails, the machine takes care of itself rather than relying on you hearing the alarm and saving the files manually.

Of course, hibernate is not always reliable, but I use it on my laptop under XP and have hardly ever had any problems... plus it improves startup times.