UPS power output question.

[Moteel]

Greetings,
When I got a 500W computer and want to buy an APC just to compensate occasional power fluctuation and don't actually need to be able to run solely on batteries, do I still need one that can generate a 500W output or will a lower one do?
The computer contains some high-end hardware and uses most of the 500W all the time too.
Thanks.

 

[dglienna]

Of course, it has to be able to power the computer. The real question is how long you want to power it. If it is just to prevent voltage drops, then just about any will work.

If you want a UPS that runs the system until the battery gets low, and then gracefully powers down the system, then it will cost a little more.

My partner has bad wiring in his house. Two computers were having problems constantly. I told him to buy a UPS. He was in line, and the cashier asked if he'd like a 2 for 1! They were on sale! He said "Sure" and picked up 2 for under $300

-David
2006 Microsoft Most Valueable Professional (MVP)
2006 Dell Certified System Professional (CSP)

 

[Moteel]

Thanks,
I really don't need to be able to run solely on batteries, only to compensate the slight power drops (not outages) that sometimes last a whole hour.

 

[jaxx75]

I think any will work, I don't have experience with UPSes, but I would think, that since you're still having some power, it will be able to keep power going for some time. 1 hour seems fairly long though. there are plenty of UPSes with runtimes in the 80 minute range for around 100 bucks. I'm browsing an online store right now and see a few for less than that. I'm a new user here and I'm not sure if we can post online stores (marketing).

good luck,

-Jackson

 

[edfair]

Suspect that you'll need one good for the duration and enough for the monitor and the box. Most I've dealt with provide power from the line or from the battery, not both.
If the concern is the sag you problably need a line conditioner, not a UPS.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.