Alienware with 1.1 KW power supply - Need help choosing a UPS!!

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I need some help choosing a UPS and I have had a difficult time finding answers to the questions I have. I am familiar with APC and have heard only good things about their products so I figured I would ask my questions here.

What I am looking to purchase a UPS for_
I bought a high-end gaming PC from Alienware last week that has a 1.1KW power supply in it. It has a 23" HD monitor but I am unsure of the voltage output for it. I am looking to purchase a UPS product that provides at least 10 minutes of uptime so I can shutdown the PC and preferably has an option to auto-shutdown a PC when the UPS battery has drained to a point where the PC is at risk of losing power. Also, I spoke to a colleague of mine and he said that one drawback to the UPS he owns is the fact that when the power goes out, comes back on immediately, and goes back out again, his PC shuts off abruptly because the UPS cannot switch from battery, to power, and back to battery quick enough. This is a concern I have and I need a UPS that prevents against losing power under this scenario. Also, it would be nice if the UPS could send email alerts (txt msgs) in case I am not near the UPS when the power goes out.

*_My recommendation so far_*
Dell recommends that I purchase this UPS http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Power/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=330-7... , which is $700. It supports 1.92 KW which seems like overkill for my needs. It also does not offer the option to auto-shutdown a PC in the event that the battery backup is getting close to draining, which is a major drawback.

_*My questions*_
(1) What is the rule of thumb for choosing a UPS in terms of the power consumption required?
(2) Does APC have a UPS that satisfies my needs?
-Enough power to support a 1.1KW power supply PC
-Auto-shutdown of PC capability
-Ability to send emails (txt msgs) in the event of a power failure
-Handles quick cycling of power and does not lose power

Thank you.

[Anonymous user]

Thank you, buzz. That was a very helpful reply.

The SUA2200 looks like a refrigerator! I think I am going to go with a SMT1500 based on what you have to say. It's selling for $480 on amazon.com and with that I get free shipping, too. After spending nearly $5,000 on my PC, I am really trying to keep my costs under control. Most of all, I believe the SMT1500 UPS will handle my needs.

Oh - my friend owns an APC UPS and it is likely a lower end model such as the Back-UPS that you mentioned.

[Anonymous user]

Big power supply is a marketing thing. Spend the $30 and get a Kill-A-Watt meter and determine the idle state and full load power. It's fine if full load state is around 80% of rated wattage. Use the full load state for capacity determination and idle power for run time determination.

A fully loaded 1,100W power supply will need about 1.3kW at 85% efficiency.

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I need some help choosing a UPS and I have had a difficult time finding answers to the questions I have. I am familiar with APC and have heard only good things about their products so I figured I would ask my questions here.

What I am looking to purchase a UPS for_
I bought a high-end gaming PC from Alienware last week that has a 1.1KW power supply in it. It has a 23" HD monitor but I am unsure of the voltage output for it. I am looking to purchase a UPS product that provides at least 10 minutes of uptime so I can shutdown the PC and preferably has an option to auto-shutdown a PC when the UPS battery has drained to a point where the PC is at risk of losing power. Also, I spoke to a colleague of mine and he said that one drawback to the UPS he owns is the fact that when the power goes out, comes back on immediately, and goes back out again, his PC shuts off abruptly because the UPS cannot switch from battery, to power, and back to battery quick enough. This is a concern I have and I need a UPS that prevents against losing power under this scenario. Also, it would be nice if the UPS could send email alerts (txt msgs) in case I am not near the UPS when the power goes out.

*_My recommendation so far_*
Dell recommends that I purchase this UPS http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Power/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=330-7... , which is $700. It supports 1.92 KW which seems like overkill for my needs. It also does not offer the option to auto-shutdown a PC in the event that the battery backup is getting close to draining, which is a major drawback.

_*My questions*_
(1) What is the rule of thumb for choosing a UPS in terms of the power consumption required?
(2) Does APC have a UPS that satisfies my needs?
-Enough power to support a 1.1KW power supply PC
-Auto-shutdown of PC capability
-Ability to send emails (txt msgs) in the event of a power failure
-Handles quick cycling of power and does not lose power

Thank you.

[Anonymous user]

KVAr wrote:
A fully loaded 1,100W power supply will need about 1.3kW at 85% efficiency.

KVAr,
Wouldn't a 1.1KW power supply need 935 W at 85% efficiency? (1.1 * .85) ?

Thanks.

[voidstar_apc · Accepted solution]

An inefficient power supply requires more energy, not less.

Efficiency = PowerOut / PowerIn
=> PowerIn = PowerOut / Efficiency = 1.1 kW / 0.85 = 1.3 kW