One UPS, Two PC's

[squiffy]

Is it possible to use one UPS to protect two PC's from surge/spikes and power failures? What rating UPS should I get for these two machines? (will be on at the same time)

3700+ stock, 1GB RAM, 2 x 7200RPM HD, ATI X300, M-Audio soundcard, 2x 12cm case fans, CPU fan, DVD-RW. According to PSU calculator 260W. Round up to 300W

4400+ @ 2.7ghz, 2GB RAM, 3 x 7200RPM HD, ATI X1900, 5x 12cm, 1x 8cm fan, 1 DVD-RW, 1 DVD-ROM. According to PS calculator 470W. Round up to 520W

I estimate 1500VA should be suitable. How would you connect up two PC's to the UPS controller port (USB and serial, can you use both at the same time? Looking at the APC Smart-UPS 1500VA USB & Serial 230V

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA1500I&total_watts=50

"Audible noise at 1 meter from surface of unit"

Does it have a fan?

Or I could just buy two UPS's, £65 CS-500 for the HTPC, and a 1000VA for the desktop

 

[kitten]

yes most, if not all UPS have more than one AC outlet, My APC has four as do some Belkins'.

Connect monitoring to one PC. Powerchute software works over network so UPs can be monitored remotely.

 

[fobose]

I Had a smartUPS 700VA with a p4 northwood @ 3.2ghz, 4x 256mb PC3200, 6600gt, sata HDD, PCI digiTV card, PCI sound card and 2x DVDRW, and a 17" and a 15" TFT all plugged in to it and the "load" LED's were only on 2 and a half lit third (out of 5). You should probabilly get something more than a 700VA for both PC's though, just incase. I now have a BackUPS 650 (SmartUPS batteries do not last very long, just enough to be out of the warranty though )

 

[squiffy]

fobose, your APC has a fan on the side right? Is it on 24/7 or only when the power fails? Does the unit make any noise during use (mains power on) ie hum/buz

 

[fobose]

None of my APC UPS's have had a fan on them, they were/are both silent when connected to the mains power but as soon as the battery comes in to use there was/is a slight buzzing noise (and a beep alarm - which you can turn off I am sure).

 

[squiffy]

ok. Looking at the battery is this a standard 12v battery or unique (and overpriced) APC battery? When the battery starts losing charge/runtime I would replace it...save money if it's just a standard type.