Adequate UPS for my system?

[MechD]

Greetings all,

I need to get a UPS for my new computer. I have heard APC recommended heavily before, and the APC web site recommended this UPS unit APC 750VA

Would that UPS be a solid choice to protect my PC? The machine is primarily a gaming rig, so I don't need a ton of extra time, just enough to get the machine shut down in case of a long power outage. The machine is going to be a AMD 64 3200+ Venice cpu, 7800GTX video card, CDRW drive, DVD-rom, SATA hard drive, standard 19inch monitor, cable modem, and router.

Thanks guys!

 

[Ike0069]

That is more than enough power, but I'm not sure that model regulates the incoming voltage. I'm thinking that you need an APC model with AVR in the model name where the ES is on this one. Not sure what ES is, but you could always call and ask them if no one else answers this question.
If you find out, let me know because I'm curious what the ES means.

 

[Navid]

I wouldn't get anything less than this. As you can see, it can only provide 450W. If your monitor is a CRT, it will need 100W. That will leave only 350W for your computer and router and modem.

 

[MechD]

Okay, did a bit more digging, looking for a UPS that had the AVR feature, how does this one look? APC 1000VA

 

[John]

Originally posted by: MechD
Okay, did a bit more digging, looking for a UPS that had the AVR feature, how does this one look? APC 1000VA

Very nice.

 

[MWink]

The Back-UPS ES series is APC's VERY low end line. They have small batteries for their size (I think a Back-UPS CS 350 has the same battery as a Back-UPS ES 500), and minimal surge protection, as well as no AVR. The Back-UPS XS (BX*) series is much better but it does not have full AVR either. The XS series only has Boost AVR, it does not have Trim AVR. The Back-UPS RS1000+ supposedly has full Boost and Trim AVR but I have not confirmed that yet. I did find out the hard way that the Back-UPS RS800 does NOT have Trim AVR. BTW the Back-UPS RS is basically the OEM version of the XS (it's available online).

 

[MechD]

Thanks for the heads up on that line of APC UPS's NWink! I was digging a little deeper and noticed that the model at Worst Buy was indeed the XS, and then found a thread in which they mentioned how the XS didn't seem to have the full AVR features here.

Needless to say, AVR is a feature I definitely want to have, as the previous owners of my residence were college students who "wired" the place themselves, so the power isn't always the most...."stable" shall we say...:roll:

Okay, so more research is in order...Anybody happen to know if the CyberPower 1200VA happens to be a solid UPS with full AVR features? I've heard good things about CyberPower's UPS systems in the past, and that model looks to be both lower in cost, and sporting better features than the APC 1000AV (XS) that Worst Buy has available...Could we have a winner?

Thanks again guys!

 

[MWink]

Originally posted by: MechD
Thanks for the heads up on that line of APC UPS's NWink! I was digging a little deeper and noticed that the model at Worst Buy was indeed the XS, and then found a thread in which they mentioned how the XS didn't seem to have the full AVR features here.

Needless to say, AVR is a feature I definitely want to have, as the previous owners of my residence were college students who "wired" the place themselves, so the power isn't always the most...."stable" shall we say...:roll:

Okay, so more research is in order...Anybody happen to know if the CyberPower 1200VA happens to be a solid UPS with full AVR features? I've heard good things about CyberPower's UPS systems in the past, and that model looks to be both lower in cost, and sporting better features than the APC 1000AV (XS) that Worst Buy has available...Could we have a winner?

Thanks again guys!

That CyberPower unit does not have full AVR either. Despite what the box my claim, when I emailed CyberPower they told me that that unit does not have AVR Trim. So that unit is no better than the APC Back-UPS XS.

In fact it's quite hard to find full AVR on a cheap UPS (<$200). On the other hand, I'll admit that AVR Trim probably isn't as important for most people since Overvoltages probably aren't as common as undervoltages. Unfortunately where we live the voltage is almost constantly too high which is why I require one with AVR Trim. I can't tell you what you need but I can tell you what UPS's have what features (at least the ones that I'm familiar with).

If you want really good AVR the Tripp Lite Smart Pro series (and maybe a few below it) has AVR Trim as well as 2 AVR Boost modes so that it can boost even deeper brownouts. That's what I'm currently using, however I'm not very fond of their software and the UPS is missing a few other features I like. You can probably get a Smart Pro 700 for around $200. Also the APC Back-UPS RS1000+ should have full AVR but I can't confirm that till I get my hands on one (which should be in the next week).

 

[MechD]

Greetings again!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge again MWink, so far you've been very helpful! Couple more questions/comments...

1) I'm not sure I really want/need to spend close to or over $200 dollars on a UPS. So far, the most common problem for me seems to be when under voltage occurs, which from the sound of it, most units that claim to have AVR do protect against. This makes me think I may not really have a need for the trim feature. Especially since it seems that the models that do sport the full deal seem to have software that ppl aren't fond of (you aren't the first I have heard mention Tripp Lite software in a non-complimentary fashion), or are missing other features that users seem to want.

2) Assuming that I don't need the full AVR feature set, of the two UPS systems that I posted recently, which would you recommend? Right now I am leaning towards the CyberPower, simply because it is both cheaper, and has a higher wattage rating.

3) I am curious as to what you don't like about the Tripp Lite's software, and what features those UPS's lack that you like to have?

4) Please do post on the APC Back-UPS RS 1000+ when you get your hands on one, I would be curious to know if it does in fact sport a full AVR package or not!

Thanks again!

 

[MWink]

Originally posted by: MechD
Greetings again!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge again MWink, so far you've been very helpful! Couple more questions/comments...

1) I'm not sure I really want/need to spend close to or over $200 dollars on a UPS. So far, the most common problem for me seems to be when under voltage occurs, which from the sound of it, most units that claim to have AVR do protect against. This makes me think I may not really have a need for the trim feature. Especially since it seems that the models that do sport the full deal seem to have software that ppl aren't fond of (you aren't the first I have heard mention Tripp Lite software in a non-complimentary fashion), or are missing other features that users seem to want.

2) Assuming that I don't need the full AVR feature set, of the two UPS systems that I posted recently, which would you recommend? Right now I am leaning towards the CyberPower, simply because it is both cheaper, and has a higher wattage rating.

3) I am curious as to what you don't like about the Tripp Lite's software, and what features those UPS's lack that you like to have?

4) Please do post on the APC Back-UPS RS 1000+ when you get your hands on one, I would be curious to know if it does in fact sport a full AVR package or not!

Thanks again!

I'd probably stick with an APC over another brand just because of my past experiences with them. Tripp Lite's software is just so poorly designed. It's very hard to figure out, especially at first. Information is not logically layed out. Settings I'd like are missing. It's just a poor design. The only thing I like about it is the ability to work with other brand UPS's.

I finally got the Back-UPS RS 1000 and I'm pretty impressed with it. It does have both Boost and Trim AVR. Other than that it's pretty similar to the RS 800. It is physically much taller and slightly slimmer but that's because the PCB is mounted above the battery instead of next to the battery. This probably allows for much better ventilation. It seems to be working perfectly so far. I'd highly recommend this unit.

Funny thing, when I moved the Tripp Lite Smart Pro 700 to put in the RS 1000 I noticed something rolling around inside. I thought it was a screw or something so I opened it up. Lo and behold the casing from a capacitor fell out. I found the remains of the capacitor on the PCB. I guess it somehow blew off. What's even scarier is the fact that the UPS still seems to work and passes a self test. I'm beginning to regret giving Tripp Lite another chance. Time to get an RMA.

 

[Skyhanger]

I've been looking at the Cyberpower line of UPS, and it appears that out of the 9 UPS in the AVR series, only CPS1100AVR and CPS1500AVR-HO have full AVR boost and trim... (the two white ones near the bottom) The nice thing is, the CPS1100AVR is selling for $87.00 and Compusource... I wonder if I should also get one for the new system I just ordered...