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UPS choices

Makaveli

Makaveli

Diamond Member
These are the 3 choices i'm looking at so far

APC Back-UPS CS 350 - UPS - AC 120 V - 350 VA - UPS battery lead acid - 6 output connector(s) $85.99


APC Back-UPS ES 500 - UPS - AC 120 V - 500 VA - UPS battery lead acid $75.00


APC Back-UPS ES 725 Broadband - UPS - AC 120 V - 725 VA - UPS battery lead acid - 8 output connector(s) $89.99

Any suggestions or reasons which one would be the better purchase.



 
First off, that price is way too high for the ES 500. IMO the CS 350 is better than the ES 500. It's a higher end unit and has the same size battery. The ES 725 has a higher capacity and will give a slightly longer runtime. It also has Coax and Network (RJ45) protection. Depending on the load you plan to put on it, I would get either the CS 350 or ES 725.

If you wouldn't mind using a refurb unit, you should check out APC's Factory Outlet Here. You can get some very good deals there.
 
That's still way too high...

The 1200VA or so white tower APCs are on sale for $110 or $120 (CAD) regularly at places like Best Buy...
 
You didn't state what your power requirements are but I would personally go for one with AVR (Auto Voltage Regulator). The ones you listed may have that, I didn't check APC's web site. I think my APC is 750Va or close to it and I use a 64-3800 with the usual drives and cards - nothing serious. I know it's more than 500VA. The APC software says I can get 21 minutes on battery but all I really want is a buffer and a means of keeping the voltage stable long enough to shut down during an outage.
 
Makaveli:

I was in the market for a UPS just last week. I ended up buying this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16842101219

Its a Belkin unit and not an APC like you are looking at. However, I think you'll be happy with it. I actually just received mine and am letting it charge the recommended 8 hours. All the reviews are more than happy with it. Honestly, I'd say you can't go wrong with either brand.

Just be sure that your UPS can match your system. Don't buy a 200W UPS if your running SLI , RAID, 10 fans etc... The UPS i purchased is actually a bit overkill for my current system. However, I plan on upgrading to dual-core and a more power hungry Video card. So planning ahead is a good idea.

p.s. When I actually start to use my UPS and install the software I'll report back more on it if your interested!
 
don't touch belkin, they really suck. poor quality components, and they probably don't have the required capabilities of a high quality UPS. Go with the APC ones, and make it a good one. The 30 dollars extra it costs you will probably end up saving you alot more later on. Oh, and the best buy one seems like a pretty good deal for a pretty good UPS. You really only need 5 minutes of power though, oh well... you can gloat for an extra 3 while everyone else is in darkness =p.
 
talcite, Do you own a Belkin UPS? your post makes me wonder.... Simply stating "they really suck" sounds like an opinion. If you've never owned one then why bash them? I hope you can back your statements up with hard facts (links please). BTW, the closest APC unit that matches the Belkin unit I purchased (Price wise according to BestBuy) has only: 650 VA and 390 Watt compared to the Belkin's 900 VA and 540 W. Also, the Belkin has A.V.R, the APC doesn't. I'm not bashing APC because they do make some of the best UPS in the world, but there are other choices...

EDIT: BTW, Belkin has a 3 year warranty and the APC only has a 2 year warrantly (according to Best Buy)
 
thanks for the suggestions so far guys. the belkin looks pretty small more like a cable modem. after all the suggestion of the 1200va model from APC i'm also looking at that now.

O and for those asking what my power requirements are, after using those online calcuators,

i'm sitting at around close to 400 Watts with all the stuff i have.

Also using a 21` CRT, which uses quite alot of power on its own. but the monitor doesn't have to be plugged into the ups. My main consern for the power outages is when i'm at work and not infront of the computer.
 
Leegroves, I've never used the belkin UPS, but I work in a computer store that has them in stock. Customers come back with feedback and things of that nature. I however, have used a belkin router, because my grandfather was given one by a sony salesman for some reason. I opened the box and the router had no wireless security enabled by default. It also had dismal support for wireless encryption options. Ontop of this, it insisted I install the belkin setup utility. (for what?!) Anyways. I don't even think it had a NAT firewall enabled. I can't remember, but it took me about 30 minutes to setup this router because everything was so insecure. If that was any indication of the quality of belkin products, then my opinion was very well justified.
 
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