What size UPS?

[jeremy1183]

The last thread I made was side tracked and so I was asked by a mod to make another one.

Here is my system specs.

i5-2500k @ 4.5ghz
8GB GSKILL 1600
SLI GTX580's
7 Fans(4 Led)
Fan Controller
Hyper 212+ to be upgraded to Corsair H60
Alienware OptX 23" LCD 3D Monitor
Spinpoint F3
DVD-R optical soon to be upgraded to Blu Ray
Corsair AX 1200 PSU

Now I have already spent a lot on this system. First I had 560ti's in sli and now upgraded to 580's sli. I'm not looking for a $500 UPS. I just want something that will work but at the same time isn't the cheapest piece of junk that will only give me 6 months use.

 

[jeremy1183]

anybody?

 

[GhislainG]

What's your budget? Any requirement to play games during a power outage or do you only require enough time for the system to cleanly shut down after a few minutes?

I own two APC Smart-UPS units and they meet my requirements (true sinewave). I bought a used 1500 for $200 and a 1000 for $150. All I have to do is replace the batteries every few years.

 

[jeremy1183]

Just want to be able to shut down properly...no need to use any longer than that.

Do UPS protect systems any better than surge protectors? Just don't want to fry any hardware if an outage or surge comes. Mainly looking to spend around $130-$160 if I can. If need to be higher I can do that. Just wanna know how big of an UPS I need.

As i have been reading places everyone is always saying you need 1200 watt PSU's for 580's in sli when reviews say that 580 sli's only pull 719-800watts (full system) when fully stressed. So I decided to just get a big one anyway for future purposes....

 

[GhislainG]

I know that an APC Smart-UPS 1000 or equivalent will more than meet your requirements. Your UPS has to be poweful enough to handle the load if there's a surge or a power outage while your system is drawing maximum power. You also want a pure sineware UPS. A UPS might not necessarily protect better than a surge protector, but you can continue using your PC if the line volatge is too high or too low. As far as I'm concerned nothing beats a quality UPS.

 

[jeremy1183]

You mean a UPS with a 1000AV rating right?

 

[jeremy1183]

If so you are saying that this 600watt pure sine wave one will work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102132

 

[GhislainG]

1000VA is correct. You don't want a UPS that will be overloaded if your system is drawing maximum power while there's a surge or a power outage. For your requirements I'd consider a used Smart-UPS or a unit like the CyberPower CP1350AVRLCD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102070

 

[jeremy1183]

OK now what about the active pfc psu compatibility issue I hear about? The one you linked me to does not have it? Does it REALLY matter or would it still work? Thats my next biggest issue when selecting.

 

[GhislainG]

It will work, but you could select this PFC compatible unit instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102133

 

[jeremy1183]

Ok....pretty much what I thought it would be. Seems like Cyper Power are the only ones who make the pfc compatible ones...unless i didnt look close enough.

 

[hunter315]

Those two units appear almost identical aside from the output wave form. Since the true sine wave unit is only a bit more that would be my pick so you dont have to worry about any compatibility issues with the APFC on the power supply.


Guess im going to need to start looking into a new UPS myself since you can get big ones that cheap, my 350W APC unit is seeming a bit weak in comparison.

 

[jeremy1183]

Haha...yeah was hoping to avoid getting one but just feel like I NEED to with a expensive system. Hate for power surge/outage to cause a hardware problem

 

[hunter315]

Considering how much a single GTX 580 costs, $170 to ensure the whole system for many years seems like a pretty good investment to me! I guess the limit on how much to spend really depends on how paranoid you are.

 

[jeremy1183]

Guess I'll find out if I'm paranoid enough when I plug it up and start running it. About to order it.

 

[vice86]

I'm in the same boat...i want to order a UPS but don't know which one. I'm guessing a 1000VA/600W should be fine for me?

i5 2500K
Corsair 650W PSU
HD6870
3 connected USB HDDs
63" Samsung Plasma
DVD Drive
Cable Modem
Router
10 Port USB hub

What mostly happens in my area is during a storm the power will go out for 1-2 seconds...enough to shut everything down. Would love something to avoid shutdown happening.

So is either the 99.99 1000VA/600W or 129.99 1350/810W the one?

 

[GhislainG]

Will the Samsung Plasma be connected to the UPS? If so, what's its power draw?