Thinking about getting an UPS

[Mr Bob]

Right now I have two really cheapo power strips, and feel really unsafe.

My computer is maxing out the 500 watt PSU: AX500-A
I have two 1905fp dell monitors
A Denon AVR485 receiver
Onkyo DVD player
and a Viore 42" EDTV

As well as a few small things like two phone chargers, printer, and power adapter for the mouse.

I think it would be better to get two UPS, and have the two monitors and computer on one, and then the receiver and tv on the other.

There was a Hot Deals thread for BF that had this for $40 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...=7304785&type=product&id=1118842475752 however they are all sold out.

What should I be looking for?

 

[Mr Bob]

Turns out I can still get the $40 one at BestBuy. Might grap two of them...

 

[pkme2]

I have a Cyberpower 1250AVR and APC 650 for my backups. Check out my rigs and you can see my usage.
My Linux and laptop works off the bigger unit in tandem. I can still work on all 3 but its usually the 2 pcs.

My former teacher told me that you can't have enough protection for your computers.

I bought the APC back a few years ago but later found the Cyberpower with a built-in line conditioner for the same price and voila!, I have both.

I have experienced many brownouts in my area over the past few years and boy, these guys have saved my work and my computers.

http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/UPS_AVR.asp

My recommendation is to buy one that you can hookup your whole system to. Just up the requirements, if needed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Cyberpower-CP12...3QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Mr Bob]

The one you have is $100 more and another 300 watts than the one I was looking at. However, I can get three of the ones I found, and end up with almost twice the number of watts for still less than what the one you have is.

I don't want to blow a bunch of money on these.

 

[Mr Bob]

bump

 

[pkme2]

Why would you buy 3 to get 800W? They don't add up to more than 800W.
Cyberpower provides a $375,000 connected equipment warranty and is an established product.
One more thing. What's the rep for Dynex? Never heard of it. Checking for reviews, I got zip.
Your equipment needs the proper protection. Well it's your dollar.

 

[smthmlk]

I have the APC Back-UPS RS 800, great unit 🙂

 

[Mr Bob]

"Why would you buy 3 to get 800W?"
- I never said I was getting 3. I was using 3 as an example about how I could get more watts for a lot less price. Many people were already saying it was a good UPS. Not always does really low price and more "stuff" mean better, but when multiple people say it is good, then that's a lot better deal.

The one he linked to was 750W for $155 shipped.

The one at BestBuy is 450W for $44.

I could get two 450W for $88, and end up with 900W for $88 compared to the 750W for $155.

This Dynex brand is sold only to BestBuy. They also have a toll free tech support number on the dynex website.

 

[rforum]

The purpose of a UPS is not only to protect your equipment from brownouts and surges but to keep the equipment running for a time in the event of power failure - depending on how much power the battery has.

For your computer, in case of power outage you want to be able to save your work and shut down the computer before complete power failure. A more expensive UPS comes with software that will shut down your computer before power failure in case you are not there to do it.

For your receiver and TV, you probably want to just protect against brownouts and surges as you certainly aren't going to run those devices very long on any cheap UPS.

 

[Mr Bob]

I was quoted about 45 mins of online time with a 19" lcd monitor and a 350w desktop. A 21" lcd and a 400w desktop will stay running for 35 minutes, and it continues to go down.

I only need about 2 minutes to save my work. My computer isn't ever left online without me being here.