Question about buying a UPS system

bpetruzzo · 06-29-2008, 10:59 PM

After a moderately expensive disaster with my home office computer, I've determined that I can no longer leave my workstation vulnerable to electricity's every violent whim.

So, here's my question. I've read up on UPS systems, but it's hard to cut through the BS and get to the nitty gritty.

All I need a way to keep my computer from frying if the power unexpectedly goes out. My first thought is a UPS. However, I'm running around 500 watts and UPS systems rated for that get expensive. All I really need it to do is give the computer 60 seconds to shut down.

If I were to purchase a ups would I really have to get a bigger 500watt supply, or could I get away with a little 250watt thing?

Or could I get away with a good surge protector and just be okay with the occasional loss of unsaved data? Or am I still swimming in hot-hardware-loss-water?

PS - I hope I'm posting this in the right forum.

magnethead · 06-30-2008, 09:59 PM

I think you're confusing ratings. My guess is that you're trying to compare the DC wattage of the PSU with the AC wattage of the UPS unit. But you're not far off.

250 watts AC is 2 amps at 120V AC. Assuming you have a 70% efficient PSU, you'll be able to hold about 1.4 amps DC, not counting amp loss in the rectifier. I'm not 100% sure exactly how many AC watts a PSU pulls. Peering behind my 19" LCD, it's rated at .5 amps at 120VAC. I will advise that APC is the best in the bussiness. The security system at my church runs all the video equip off an APC unit, not sure on size.

My guestimate for a computer would be 3 amps for tower (360 watts) and 1 amp for LCD. so right about 500 watts.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842101311 $99 with plenty of power.

bpetruzzo · 06-30-2008, 11:13 PM

While that wasn't the answer I was hoping for, it was quite helpful.

Thanks, and thanks for digging up the item. :)

06-29-2008, 10:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
bpetruzzo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 75 OS: XP	Question about buying a UPS system After a moderately expensive disaster with my home office computer, I've determined that I can no longer leave my workstation vulnerable to electricity's every violent whim. So, here's my question. I've read up on UPS systems, but it's hard to cut through the BS and get to the nitty gritty. All I need a way to keep my computer from frying if the power unexpectedly goes out. My first thought is a UPS. However, I'm running around 500 watts and UPS systems rated for that get expensive. All I really need it to do is give the computer 60 seconds to shut down. If I were to purchase a ups would I really have to get a bigger 500watt supply, or could I get away with a little 250watt thing? Or could I get away with a good surge protector and just be okay with the occasional loss of unsaved data? Or am I still swimming in hot-hardware-loss-water? PS - I hope I'm posting this in the right forum.

06-30-2008, 09:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
magnethead Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,786 OS: XPH, 2K My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Question about buying a UPS system I think you're confusing ratings. My guess is that you're trying to compare the DC wattage of the PSU with the AC wattage of the UPS unit. But you're not far off. 250 watts AC is 2 amps at 120V AC. Assuming you have a 70% efficient PSU, you'll be able to hold about 1.4 amps DC, not counting amp loss in the rectifier. I'm not 100% sure exactly how many AC watts a PSU pulls. Peering behind my 19" LCD, it's rated at .5 amps at 120VAC. I will advise that APC is the best in the bussiness. The security system at my church runs all the video equip off an APC unit, not sure on size. My guestimate for a computer would be 3 amps for tower (360 watts) and 1 amp for LCD. so right about 500 watts. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842101311 $99 with plenty of power. __________________ AIM me: MAGNET794 For proper support: what are you running? video card, cpu, m/board, ram, power supply, brand, wattage, any error message? PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER

06-30-2008, 11:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
bpetruzzo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 75 OS: XP	Re: Question about buying a UPS system While that wasn't the answer I was hoping for, it was quite helpful. Thanks, and thanks for digging up the item. :)