1000 Watt Gaming Computer - Which APC to get? (BR1500 or SUA1500?)

[Anonymous user]

Hello everyone,

I just bought a Dell powerhouse gaming computer. It is an XPS 710 Quad-core beast. Anyhow, the power supply in the computer is a 1000-watt supply.

After setting up the computer I plugged it into my old APC 400 and, to say the least, the APC was not happy about it (it would just keep beeping when I would try to turn the computer on as if the power was out). Anyhow, I am assuming that the problem is that I am trying to plug in a very power hungry computer into an old APC.

So, which new APC should I buy? I was looking at the BR1500 (which I see sometimes written as BX1500 - why is that? Anyone know?) combined with the BR24BP battery back combination. It is sold at CompUsa for $300. However, the BR1500 is only rated at 865 watts.

My question: I am trying to figure out if my 1000-watt computer (combined with my two 24-inch flat-screen monitors) will even be able to be turned on, while plugged into the 865-watt rated BR1500. I realize that during normal operation of my computer I will not be using all of the 1000-watt capability of my power supply. However, will I be cutting it close with the BR1500 or the BR1500LCD? Am I overthinking this?

If I am cutting it too close will I be forced to buy the SUA1500 because it can handle 960-watts, and the extra 130 extra watts will make a huge impact?

As you can see, I really would prefer to buy the BR1500 with the battery pack over the SUA1500 because of the extra battery life when compared to the SUA 1500 (plus the SUA1500 is way too expensive).

What do you guys think?

Also - what is better: the BR1500 or the BR1500LCD? They each are a bit different from each other.

[Anonymous user]

This sounds like a rather powerful power supply on your machine. Have you verified if it is powerfactor corrected, might be listed as PFC. If it is, you should definately go with the SUA1500 as it produces a pure sine wave where the BR/X 1500's produce step approximated sine waves.

[Anonymous user]

Great, thanks for all of your help.

Unfortunately, when I just called APC, he said that the SUA1500 might not even be enough! He stated that because my computer has a 1000-watt power source the SUA1500 won't cut it. He told me that I may need the SUA2200 (with it's 1980 watts!). Is this accurate? His reasoning was based on the fact that the computer will use its maximum wattage (1000 watts) at powerup and I may overload the SUA1500 at that time. I can't afford the $900 SUA2200!

What to do?

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

If your computer's power supply is going to be running at 1000 Watts, then it will overload the SUA1500. The SUA1500 has a max capacity of 980 Watts. Most cpu power supplies will never run at their maximum capacity though, which would put you under the 980 Watt limit. Chances are good the SUA1500 will be able to support your cpu, but if you do not want to risk it, then the SUA2200 would be the next step. If you cannot afford the 2200, we have a TradeUPS program where you could trade in any older UPS units, APC's or any other company's, and get a discount on the 2200.

Thanks.

[Anonymous user]

Grenade wrote:
This sounds like a rather powerful power supply on your machine. Have you verified if it is powerfactor corrected, might be listed as PFC. If it is, you should definately go with the SUA1500 as it produces a pure sine wave where the BR/X 1500's produce step approximated sine waves.

Grenade, a computer PSU rated at 1000W will use about 1300W under full load and the only way it can be rated for 1000W output using 5-15R receptacle is if it has an active PFC.

In real life, you won't run anywhere near that wattage and the user is not going to tolerate a 1300W heat source without an air conditioner intended to serve that room.

BE750BB Back-UPS ES750VA/450W is, in my opinion, the best value single workstation power protection for 95% of consumer computing needs. It has a very generous capacity RBC6 12v 12Ah battery,so the runtime is great and a computer that actually exceeds 450W of actual power is rare.

That model is readily available at stores with a liberal return policy. Simply hook it all up, connect the stuff and fully load the computer. If overload light comes on, return the unit, get a next size higher. If not, turn off power to UPS at powerstrip and confirm it will run without going to overload. (don't leave any unsaved files open). If you get past this point, you are fine with this UPS.

Many IT loads, including monitor are designed to handle 86 to 264v, so AVR SmartTrim/SmartBoost isn't actually that important. Wasting more money doesn't buy you more useful protection.

[Anonymous user]

I just would like to make sure the person purchasing this UPS is aware that a computer with active PFC does not respond well to UPS's that output step approximated sine waves as the Back-UPS do while in the "on battery" mode of operation. But, as you stated, if the purchaser is fine with returning a UPS back to the original place of purchase and the store is willing to provide a refund, they could very well test the Back-UPS solution first as it is the least expensive solution.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Grenade wrote:
I just would like to make sure the person purchasing this UPS is aware that a computer with active PFC does not respond well to UPS's that output step approximated sine waves as the Back-UPS do while in the "on battery" mode of operation. But, as you stated, if the purchaser is fine with returning a UPS back to the original place of purchase and the store is willing to provide a refund, they could very well test the Back-UPS solution first as it is the least expensive solution.

Not always. Active PFC PSUs often get along just fine with modified squarewave. Consumer users don't need the SmartSlot capability, so the best solution I recommend in the event of incompatibility is finding an older refurb Smart-UPS or a Smart-UPS V/S (very close to sinewave) from a refurbisher who offers warranty. They're price competitive with brand new Back-UPS.