UPS recommendation?

[jonjan]

I heard that OCZ PSU's work best with more a powerful UPS, and I'm looking for what kind of minimums I should look for in a UPS for my system.

I'm looking to attach the following to the UPS:
-Dimension 8400 with OCZ PowerStream420
P4 3.6GHz HT, 2gigs DDR2, 4 HDs (2 sets of RAID1),
nVidia Quadro NVS400 quad-vid card
-Three 19" lcd's (use 35watts each, measured)

What kind of minimums would make sense for a UPS?

Thanks!
JonJan

[5-Clicks]

this'll handle it:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=708633&Sku=A75-2068

[jonjan]

thanks.. I was looking at APC also.
wow, that guy is pretty costly.

First, I'm trying to get an idea of the total watts and VA's my system needs a UPS to handle. I was measuring my computer draw (with the dell-stock PSU) and my regular use was ~180watts, 240w at start-up peak, and 140w idle... again the 3 lcd's use 35watts each. But the OCZ PowerStream420 and it's need for a high-quality UPS is the wild-card

[jonjan]

actually....
I realize I only need a UPS to handle the OCZ PSU&computer.

Hmm, this would seem to suggest that it just needs to handle 520watts, then? (for the PowerStream 420's peak load of 520)

[5-Clicks]

tigerdirect has a pretty good selection of UPCs...
do you think this might work?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1068245&CatId=0

it has 6 outlets as opposed to 8 but it's cheaper and i think it's about what you need.

[huncherman]

To get an idea of your power needs it may be worth it to get one of these:
http://www.supermediastore.com/kilwateldet1.html?WT.mc_id=AdWordsKillaWattkillawatt&WT.srch=1#description

[boshuter]

actually....
I realize I only need a UPS to handle the OCZ PSU&computer.

Hmm, this would seem to suggest that it just needs to handle 520watts, then? (for the PowerStream 420's peak load of 520)

The main purpose of a UPS is to regulate and smooth out the power supplied to the pc and to give you time to properly shut down and save your work in the event of a power failure. If you don't have your monitor hooked to it, how are you going to be able to do that? I've never heard that OCZ psu's need a "powerful UPS to work best", can you elaborate on that? Every pc should be on a upc, you'd be amazed how many unexplained crashes, bsod's, etc., will be avoided by having one. I have my pc, monitor, and satellite internet modem hooked to mine and it will usuallly allow me to just keep wasting time online during most storm caused power outtages. I went to a local auction for a company that was going out of business and bought 2 APC BackUPS Pro 650's for $10 each; the batteries were bad in them, so I got on Egay and bought two brand new batteries for less than $25 each shipped. Best investment I ever made :thumbs:

[jonjan]

thanks

I have a kill-o-watt already, it is very informative :D I measured my computer at 240watts at start-up, 140w idle, and ~180 for normal computing (with the dell-stock PSU). My 19" lcd's are 33watts each.

I'm going to put my three lcd's on a different back-ups (725VA/450watts) so i'll be able to compute still... it'll help me be able to get a smaller UPS to handle just the OCZ/puter.
I've got a separate back-ups for my modem and router too, so got that covered as well, thanks for the suggestion :D

I'm dedicated to APC unless I can read some fab reviews of others. I've had APC and their support is incredible, so it's worth a few more $ to me to have quality and support (just like OCZ)

I heard about the OCZ liking stronger UPS's from a guy here (who's OCZ ModStream review is posted on OCZ's site..)
http://www.devhardware.com/forums/t44652/s.html

I'm currently focused on this UPS...
APC RS800 800VA / 540watts. It should handle the OCZ's peak load of 520.. Does that sound correct? (seems simple, but I've learned to always be open to new info!)
http://www.techonweb.com/products/productdetail.aspx?id=A60126&src=PG

[sodface]

I don't know if you are a member of Sam's Club, but this is the UPS I have and I love it. And you'd obviously save on the shipping if you can go and pick it up in person.

Linky (http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&n=0&mt=a&coe=0&oidPath=0:-23542:-23589:-43881:-44025:-44027:687288&fid=1S10)

[Snafu]

BTW this is being discussed here (http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/showthread.php?p=86949#post86949) too :o

[jonjan]

thanks, is pretty cheap and it's APC... but no membership
I'd get the 1000VA instead of the 800VA, if it's just a few more bucks.

One thing I'm considering is I saw this comment in a review on the APC RS 800VA:
Unit is noisy. I don't know if this noise is coming from an internal fan or from the AC power converter.

I just got the OCZ PSU mostly for it's silentness, and also just replaced my sole case fan with a 14dB fan, so i'd have a silent system. ... that UPS don't sound like it's silent :lol: I'm wondering if keeping it inside a cabinet with a lot of blankets and sound-absorption would make it near-silent.

The 725VA APC (ES BB) gives off a slight whining sound, but a single piece of sound-absobing mat eliminates it. Anybody know about larger UPS's and noise?


Yep, I asked at this forum first, and then realized it'd be especially good to post this UPS question on the specifically-OCZ forum :D this one is a tad more active! :D

[jonjan]

I went with the APC BR800
800VA / 540watts for $130 from techonweb :)

should give me 27mins of battery time :)

thanks all! :D

[FB]

i have the CyberPower 1500AVR for my rig
http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/1500avr.htm

it gives me about 60 minutes of runtime :)

[BGP Spook]

I went with the APC BR800
800VA


I have this exact UPS. (In black?)

You need'nt be concerned about it being noisy. It is very quiet. (Except it emits a small beep when it engages.)

It monitors its own temperature when in use and if it ever gets too hot it turns on its fan. To me it is nearly inaudible when it is on or engaged. (I have it sitting on the floor next to my feet; incase you were wondering about position.)

Glad to hear you bought this one.

Hope it works well for you.

[jonjan]

excellent :D :thumbs: thanks for sharing that.

well, if that one is right by your feet, then mine (behind desk and inside a cabinet) shouldn't be hearable either

That's great that it only uses the fan if it needs it too... since my puter's only going to use like ~180watts, hopefully that fan won't even kick-on.

The one i got had a picture of a beige unit, but i won't be able to see mine so any color is perfectly fine.

:D wo-hoo