UPS size and features?

[Duke{CLR}]

I am shopping for an UPS. I would like to be able to have time to save data in the event of a power loss and have some kind of surge protection. Does anybody have a particular brand/model they use?

[-Bar]

Walmart special for 10 bux... 6 foot cord so it reaches the outlet.

[RobotBanana]

APC seems to be pretty popular. I have a 1050VA (630 watts) APC back-up, and it works flawlessly.

When I was asking your question, people had a few obvious but important recommendations. Look for...
1) A nice, think power cord on the back-up so you don't have any shorts. Although this shouldn't be a problem if you buy a brand-name/good UPS.
2) Add up the wattage of everything it'll be running and make sure you at least match that. Although just like a PSU, it can't hurt to have extra. In my case all of that would be the wattage of my PSU, monitor, and modem/router.

I've been using the same APC $100 backup I bought at Costco for a couple of years now without a single problem, and I definitely recommend the brand. It's fun to say "hmm... the power just went out" while playing online.

[omfg karl marx]

I have a Belkin 1000VA UPS. In the event of a power outage, it lasts me up to 20 minutes if my computer's just idling or maybe 5 or so minutes if I'm using it. It cost around $130 with shipping.

I also recommend APC UPSes. How much wattage is your computer drawing?

[Duke{CLR}]

I don't know what I am drawing but I have a 700 PSU so I guess with everything else I could use a 1000W one.

[WalkinTarget]

The important thing to remember when buying a UPS is to buy a name brand that you can replace the batteries easily down the road. A cheaper UPS is only going to last about 5 years before it needs replacement batteries, so look at APC first, then go from there.
I had two Belkin units, neither of which had replaceable batteries, so I ended up tossing one in the trash as it was worthless other than to act as a line conditioner.
I then bought a CyberPower unit that is on its last legs, but I do have an old APC 450 unit that needs batteries, so I may just buy them and be done with it. At $70 for batteries, it isn't cheap, but it beats buying a new unit at $140.

[Duke{CLR}]

Is this unit overkill? I would rather not spend this much but it seems that it would be in the wattage range and it's and APC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842101066

[random_id]

Is this unit overkill? I would rather not spend this much but it seems that it would be in the wattage range and it's and APC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842101066

Probably yes, an overkill - just because your PC has 700W PSU it doesn't mean it actually consumes this amount of power :P Your real PC's power consumption probably doesn't even reach a 500W at peak times. An easy way to find out how much power your PC consumes is to borrow or buy this device:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882715001

And if you're looking for a place to buy UPS from - Newegg doesn't have the best prices for them, you should try www.provantage.com

[CarbonFire]

Costco also has some good deals on APC UPSes, at least if you're already a member

agree with random, that UPS above is way overkill for your needs Duke. I'd say 500W would be the most you'd probably need, unless you plan on running multiple PCs on it or something.

[Duke{CLR}]

My father has a Costco membership so I will stop by there and check them out.

I do plan on running a quad core SLI setup some day plus my monitor. I am not ocncerened about actualy gaming during any outage but I would like to save data.

Thanks