City of Heroes: Live Forum Archive

Researching a UPS - request guidance

DeadlyTwilight

By DeadlyTwilight,
Posted on: 2011-04-04 22:51 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs

 

Posted

Well the parts for a DIY box are just about ready and I was gearing up to the assembly when I realized I'd forgotten one important part: a UPS.

Having invested a lot of research and thought into a new box, plus a chunk of cash, I really don't want a power outage to wear the parts out prematurely. And unfortunately power outages happen several times a year, locally.

Oh, sure, I have a surge protector, but that still means the computer gets a hard shutdown when the power gets cut off. I'd rather like to shut things down nice and neat. Plus give my CoH team proper warning.



I would like something that could run my computer for at least 5 minutes. I really don't desire fancy looks or display options. In fact, the less user interface required, the more appealing for me.

Unfortunately I couldn't find any reviews on Tech Report or bit-tech. Maybe I was using the wrong search terms or the wrong review websites.

So far I found the CyberPower CP1350AVRLCD, mostly because 1) at 810 Watts it will cover the 750 Watts PSU plus monitor very nicely, and 2) the overwhelming number of user ratings.

The price is a bit high. I'd rather spend under $100 on a UPS if there is a decent quality one for that price. Update: Looking through another recent thread, the linked recommendations for CyberPower adaptive sine wave system and Power Saving Back-UPS XS 1500 with AVR were way over $100. Does that mean that under $100 is pretty much throwing money away, and I need to be looking at $150-$200 before even considering a UPS might be worth its value?



What do I need to be most concerned with in an UPS? Product name? Battery time during a power failure? Any compatibility concerns to look out for? Energy ratings? All of the above and more?

Tips, suggestions, and recommendations - especially so if you have one that does your gaming PC proud - would be most welcome!!

 

Posted

You want:
1) Watt (or Volt-Amp) rating high enough to cover your computer. 750 VA is high enough; you might be able to use a 500 VA unit instead.
2) Battery life. Five minutes is the standard for basic units; longer life costs more.

Nice to have:
1) Alarm silence button. There's nothing worse than having the UPS beep at you at 4AM because the power went out, forcing you to crawl around and unplug the thing.
2) Computer interface. With this, the UPS can shut your computer down if you're not around to do so yourself.
3) Replaceable battery. It's usually cheaper to replace the battery than the full unit once it wears out.

May wish to avoid:
1) Power conditioning. This improves the quality of the electricity reaching your computer, but costs more and causes the UPS's battery to wear out faster. If you're sharing a building with industrial motors, or your lights flicker frequently, or you get your power from a personal generator, you may want it, but your computer's power supply can deal with normal variations in utility power.

 

Posted

I believe I paid $100 or less (want to say $80) for my last two UPSes - one a Best-buy-branded one at 875va, which covers my main system, and one an APC ES 750. (The second covers my work system - much lower load.)

Both have worked well - and being in FL, they've had to given storms cutting power and the like. Of them, I'd go with APC again. Yes, the GS one gives more info, but it's also discontinued, and they just rebrand others - and heck if I can find the info - plus the software was a pain while I tried to use it.

I'd definitely agree with Katie V's "nice to have" items. Though I haven't run across one (that I recall) without a replaceable battery.

 

Posted

Thank you very much for your guidance, Katie_V and Memphis_Bill!

So a 750VA (aka 450 Watts) UPS will not restrict the 750 Watt internal computer PSU from using its full potential? Good to know, I wouldn't have realized that on my own.



With your recommendations, it looks like the best matches are:

APC BE750G 750 VA 450 Watts

CyberPower CP850AVRLCD 850 VA 510 Watts



Both have silence options, thankfully! I'm still inclined towards the CyberPower. While it looks like it has conditioning, on the upside it has an extra year of warranty plus an attractive perk in the front usage display.

Any other input, suggestions, tips, and/or warnings before I order the CyberPower CP850AVRLCD?

 

Posted

Quick follow-up...

After reading the customer reviews, it seemed likely that the CyberPower CP850AVRLCD would be in conflict with the Active PFC on my CORSAIR CMPSU-750HX PSU.

Because of the strong potential for conflict, I went ahead and ordered a CyberPower CP850PFCLCD instead. This is the same adaptive sine wave product line that Miuramir recommended in the other thread.

 

Posted

i finally had to get me a new UPS. my old one finally died on me and i went with an APC XS1500 i found at Best Buy. it was on sale when i bought it and it was a snap to hook up and the software is easier to work with than on my old one.
overall very impressed with it and happy with it

@Eternal Twilight
Friends don't let friends buy an NCSoft controlled project.
Save Paragon one more time!
http://www.cohtitan.com/forum/index....ic,4877.0.html

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http://www.change.org/petitions/ncso...city-of-heroes

 

Posted

Glad to hear you found one that has been working well, DeadlyTwilight! I should have thought to check the local Best Buy for a sale, too.

Next week I'll try to write up a quick review blurb when mine arrives.