Best APC UPS?

T

tdx

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
154
Hey everyone,

i'm about to buy a UPS. I read that APC are the best. The question, though, is which one to chose?

I'll be using it for the following things: A Dual Woodcrest workstation, 5 hard drives, Enermax 1KW PSU, 7900GTX SLI etc. On top of that, I'm going to be using it with a 60" Sony HDTV, a Dell30'' monitor and a 5.1 surround system.

So, as you can see, i need a fairly powerful UPS. Based on that list of hardware, which APC UPS would you recommend?

Also, I dont mind spending a little more to get a quality UPS, but if we could keep it reasonable, it'd be great.

Thanks, TDX
 
http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/index.cfm

This is APC's own configutransmorgifier :p you basically enter in all of the details about your whole setup and it spits out exactly what you are asking from us. Really almost all of the APC stuff I have encountered is top rate. I just installed a 1400VA to backup two computers that are sitting side by side.
 
Buying APC based on name alone is a big mistake. They have a large variety of units or various quality. I don't recommend anything below their Smart-UPS line. Besides APC there are a number of good UPS brands out there listed in the sticky at the top of th page.
 
I think tdx needs a generator rather than an APC. :D

Depends on how much runtime you want. Also your budget. High capacity APCs get expensive pretty quick.

The 1U APC unit at work is freaking loud too, so watch out for that. :p
 
Yeah, i got a lot of stuff, what can i say? But I dont need anything fancy/expensive. Just something to mak sure my equipment doesnt fry in case of a power sure.

Since i'll be using both a PC and A/V equipment, should I be looking more at computer UPS or hme theater UPS? Or are they the same?
 
tdx said:
Wow! 1500 bucks!

Anything a little more reasonably priced? Like, below 500?
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURT3000XLT-1TF3
Click to expand...

Thread title: 'best apc ups" - no mention of budget ;)

Especially when you consider the equipment you are plugging into it- 3000VA might be a little on the light side (jk).. I went down the battery backup route starting a few years back with one of those that you can buy at Best Buy, and it trips/overloads when I only have my computer plugged into it and you unplug it from the wall (as a test).. i.e. it is completely worthless as a battery backup..

So my advice is get something that actually has a chance of performing to your expectations rather than getting something cheaper that would be worthless in your application.

Really- what's the point if you have all this great hardware plugged in and the UPS craps out everytime the power goes out for 10 or less seconds because it is overloaded? I would consider that a complete waste of money and effort.
 
Two options I'll throw out here:

1) Buy a large, used, UPS off ebay or in the FS/FT forum here, then buy new batteries locally when you get it. I have several APC Smart-UPS 1000, 1400 and 2000 VA units I got used for next to nothing, then spend about $50 each for new battery packs, work like new for 10% of the cost.

2) Buy a smaller UPS and run your PC off of that, and then use a line conditioner for the monitors and stereo system, in the event of a failure you really just want your PC to shut down gracefully, no real need to keep a 60" screen and surround sound juiced while doing so :D
 
I see, thnks for the info guys. I should have specified my budget, you're right. Look, if i absolutely have to spend 1.5K to keep my eletronics happy, I'll do it. I was just hopin ther'd be a cheaper way.

i dont really need a battery protection to keep my stuff going in case of a power outrage, i just need something that wil reliably kep them from frying (and also allows them to gently turn on/off). That's all i'm looking for.
 
tdx said:
I'll be using it for the following things: A Dual Woodcrest workstation, 5 hard drives, Enermax 1KW PSU, 7900GTX SLI etc. On top of that, I'm going to be using it with a 60" Sony HDTV, a Dell30'' monitor and a 5.1 surround system.
Click to expand...


Are there any dual woodcrest mobos that suport SLI?:confused:
 
Are there any dual woodcrest mobos that suport SLI?
Click to expand...
Officially no, but I'm hoping that hacked drivers will make it work. Even if it doesnt, I'll still need two gfx cards because I have three screens (two monitors + TV) and the 7900GTX only has two DVI outputs.

But with two 7900s in my PC, I'll definitely be praying for SLI.

Who knows myabe NVidia will smarten up and release an NForce Pro mobo for woodcrests and solve all my problems:).

Now back to the UPS: I'm not sure which of the two options tdg offered is best (I'm a little newbie-ish when it comes to electronics): used UPS of Ebay + new batteries or smaller UPS + line conditioner?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?
 
Okay,

I did some additional research thanks to the info you guys gave me. I'vre narrowed it down to three possible choices, all APC:

1. APC H15 (A/V oriented power conditioner) http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=H15
2. APC RS 1500VA (Backup UPS)
http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500
3. APC Smart-UPS 2000 (On Ebay, cause too expensive)
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURT2000RMXLI

But now I'm thinking that UPS might be overkill and that all I need is a good power conditioner/line protector.

So, with all that in mind, which choice do you recommend?
 
tdx said:
Okay,

I did some additional research thanks to the info you guys gave me. I'vre narrowed it down to three possible choices, all APC:

1. APC H15 (A/V oriented power conditioner) http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=H15
2. APC RS 1500VA (Backup UPS)
http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500
3. APC Smart-UPS 2000 (On Ebay, cause too expensive)
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SURT2000RMXLI

But now I'm thinking that UPS might be overkill and that all I need is a good power conditioner/line protector.

So, with all that in mind, which choice do you recommend?
Click to expand...

What's a good power conditioner/line protector going to do when the power goes out for 5 seconds, you'd lose ANY work you've been doing on the computer.
:p
 
What's a good power conditioner/line protector going to do when the power goes out for 5 seconds, you'd lose ANY work you've been doing on the computer.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's true. I understand your pont. But then, should I go with simply a UPS ort a UPS + power conditioner? Because I think UPS already do some line conditioning, right?
 
You could buy a refurbed UPS from refurbups or from APC's own refurb site.
 
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