Best Backup Power Unit?

[Sanborn]

Hey, the power in my apartment while I am at my college is really really horrible.

I think its time, especially since im getting a new pc, to invest in a UPS. Do any of you have recommendations on non-expensive but higher quality UPS that I can connect my computer to. It will probably have to be 700-800W minimum if I am throwing a 580 PSU and monitor + other junk onto it.

[EneergE]

I just got an OptiUPS Gaming Series 1100B. Haven't been able to test it fully yet, because I'm stuck on a lousy laptop right now. I'm going to modify it to run on a marine battery pretty soon. I'll let you know.

You may also want to look into a fwe other OptiUPS UPSs. They seem to be very solidly constructed, but I'll let you know when I have more details (that's probably going to be a month away, though).

[[XC] Angstrom]

You won't need that much power, I find it weird too - mine is only 550W and it uses just over half that on regular windows operation (probably more in gaming, but no way to check).

Anyway, I recommend APC Back-UPS XS 800. It's pretty small, and hasn't failed me yet, battery lasts for ~20 minutes on full operation at 227W usage (what i'm using now, PC+LCD Monitor). It has a cool windows utility for monitoring via USB, even tells you what the switchover was caused by.

Oh, and i'm using a Silverstone Strider 600W PSU.

[Sanborn]

Thanks for the advice guys

[Serra]

Ditto on the APS Back-UPS... it's a good series.

[Sanborn]

does that recommendation also go for

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=986408&N=200614&An=browse

I know you said I probbaly wouldn't need that much....but its only $30 more for an extra 300VA protection so why not (making it 780 W protection)

[phillyb]

apc. hands down, i own four so far. using the biggest 1500va on my gaming machine. its awesome, i ordered extra battery pack, i can game for about an hour, no power, lol.

1500va, extra battery - gaming machine/lcd only
1200va - one second desktop one server gigabit switch
600va - xbox360/tv/dvdplayer/stereo
350va - cable modem and router

[[XC] MarioMaster]

heh apc.... my initials - anyway i think i'll be looking into one but my power rarely goes out so i don't think i'll be buying a real expensive one but i've got old electric scooter SLA batteries laying around i could rig up to it for extra juice

[turbox997]

I have a Dynex 800AVR.

800VA
450Watts

Actually I own 4 of them. hmm, although I probably shouldn't plug my rig into it considering I have a 535watt PSU. None the less, its great, =] Power went out several times, so I got to test this bad boy, works good. I bought it from Best Buy, I think it was only $39.99 (some kind of price mix up)

[Ominous Gamer]

I have a Dynex 800AVR.

800VA
450Watts

Actually I own 4 of them. hmm, although I probably shouldn't plug my rig into it considering I have a 535watt PSU. None the less, its great, =] Power went out several times, so I got to test this bad boy, works good. I bought it from Best Buy, I think it was only $39.99 (some kind of price mix up)

I picked up a couple from Bestbuy on the day after Thanksgiving last year. My PSU claims 550Ws as well, but you need to base your decision on how many watts your system actually uses. My system for example only registers 250-270Ws being pulled through the UPS while I game (p4 3ghz, x800xtpe, 4 hds, aerocool psu). Also be aware you can't trust online power calculators because you also have to figure in the age and efficiency of your PSU. A reading from a UPS or Kill-a-Watt type piece of hardware is the best way to see.
The software program says that if the power were to fail I would have 10 minutes of up time. Thats fine for me, plenty of time to finish my projects and log off my machine.

[Movieman]

I just use a small one, but it does the job..;)
http://www.connectworld.net/data_center/3000va.html