My mate lives in a remote area with power going out quite frequently. His PC won't boot unless you clear the BIOS. Changing the PSU might solve the issue but l was thinking that a quality UPS will resolve the issue. Do you guys recommend a specific UPS?
UPS recommendation.
- Thread starter theforce
- Start date
I've always been a fan of APC myself - despite some models not being very tolerant of being thrown around by the courier - the backups series are simple and too the point just make sure the appropriate rating for his potential load is selected.
Caporegime
I'd recommend changing the motherboard if a power cut is causing that to happen - it really shouldn't.
I hope that isn't the issue. It's a Haswell based i3 system. The first motherboard died within a week and it was replaced by the same type of motherboard. The psu is a 450W MS-Tech one which l know isn't a good, known brand but they had a tight budget. Besides the UPS l was thinking of replacing the MS-Tech PSU with an old Corsair TX750w which is much older but a higher quality PSU which might resolve the issue.
Obviously power going out more or less frequently is major pain in the butt and needs solving.
But I wouldn't expect that PSU to be nothing more than barely above Chinese firecracker.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/26/exploding_computer_vs_reg_reader/
Even disregarding component endurance and electrical performance there's limit how much price can be lowered while actually complying with all regulations.
They have very vague specs, and there's zero proper reviews available, meaning they're not eager to have someone take a peek inside covers.
Heck, I would even accept some second/third tier capacitor FSP/Silverstone Strider/etc over that.
Likely that MS-Tech has also substandard hold-up time making it more vulnerable to short milliseconds class "blips" in power.
Closed flat heat insulating plastic box with no place for heat to dissipate and Jianghai etc class garbage capacitors.
Definite no fit for enthusiast/heavy duty use.
Double that in warm climates...
But I wouldn't expect that PSU to be nothing more than barely above Chinese firecracker.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/11/26/exploding_computer_vs_reg_reader/
Even disregarding component endurance and electrical performance there's limit how much price can be lowered while actually complying with all regulations.
They have very vague specs, and there's zero proper reviews available, meaning they're not eager to have someone take a peek inside covers.
Heck, I would even accept some second/third tier capacitor FSP/Silverstone Strider/etc over that.
Likely that MS-Tech has also substandard hold-up time making it more vulnerable to short milliseconds class "blips" in power.
Back-UPS (ES) serie is designed to fail no matter if couriers handle it by silk gloves.
Closed flat heat insulating plastic box with no place for heat to dissipate and Jianghai etc class garbage capacitors.
Definite no fit for enthusiast/heavy duty use.
Double that in warm climates...
Might have to look into it a bit more - bought a few (think they are bx series or something not es) for personal use and a company I do some work for bought a load at the same time and loads turned up non-functional despite a printed out engineers checklist and certificate from the factory had the supplier (who we have no reason to doubt) verify the replacements before sending and same story.
The ones that work have been solid though.
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Is rest of the machine at that level?
Components and monitor are important to know because those affect to how much power is needed just for chance of succesfull transfer to battery mode without UPS "falling on its knees" instantly.
Another thing is that PSUs aren't at their best comfort level when fed modified square wave so there needs to be decent margin between PC's power draw and UPS' output capability.
And that number in model name of UPS is just apparent power/VoltAmperes which isn't same thing as watts when talking about AC.
If actual watt rating isn't advertised it's usually something like 60% of VA rating, with better ones reaching 70% and worst down to 50%.
As for need to clear CMOS before succesfull booting new BIOS/RTC battery would be worth of try.
It's a Haswel i3 4330 using the integrated GPU, 2x4GB DDR3 sticks, 1 SSD, 1 HDD and an optical drive. There was no budget for a new PSU so l pitched in and bought that MS-Tech PSU to replace his old one. The monitor is very old but a flat screen at least
That means smallest of serie ~250-300 W UPS model is enough for it unless powercuts are constantly many minutes long and more frequent than once in hour or two.It's a Haswel i3 4330 using the integrated GPU, 2x4GB DDR3 sticks, 1 SSD, 1 HDD and an optical drive. There was no budget for a new PSU so l pitched in and bought that MS-Tech PSU to replace his old one. The monitor is very old but a flat screen at least
I guess UPS accepting normal power cords (British?) would be good.
APC Back-UPS (ES) just is designed to bake itself dead...
If there's nothing else connected than PC and monitor UPSes usually come with two "IEC" plug power cables.
Standby/off-line topology is used in cheapest UPSes.
If there's any set tolerances exceeding bigger voltage variation ("brown out" with lights dimming) they have to move completely to battery power.
That obviously lowers charge of battery and if such situations are constant can suck battery empty.
(full battery charge takes towards 10h of time)
Also because of inverter being disconnected from output and powered down during normal operation it has more transients during transfer.
APC Back-UPS (ES) is of that type.
Line-interactive UPSes have "hybrid" battery charger/inverter always connected to outputs and normally it's used "in reverse" to keep battery charged.
With input voltage variation exceeding limits switch disconnects output from mains and inverter is powered up fully.
They also include some amount of regulation, which can correct some voltage variations without transferring to battery power.
So they can cover wider range of power problems.
Output waveform is another thing and in most consumer level UPSes it's slightly modified square wave...
Likely causing need for more margin between power draw and output ability of UPS, because computer's PSU likes sinewave.
But real sinewave also increases price.
Any "modified" or "simulated" sinewave is marketing language for that modified square wave.
(here's what typical output waveforms look)
So line-interactive would be likely best.
CyberPower "BRIC LCDs" are line-interactive but haven't found "nude" shots of its insides or if it has actual ventilation instead of decoration.
Also seems to be available in UK power plug.
IF UK power plug isn't mandatory there are some others options. (or not)
Eaton 3S looks fully same case as APC Back-UPS (ES).
Eaton Protection Station is another standby UPS but might have some chances for better endurance if electronics is in lower part instead reaching to top.
Ellipse Eco is same in tower formfactor and IEC-plugs.
APC Back-UPS Pro and Eaton Ellipse Pro are basically equal series with line-interactive topology and tower formfactor.
Those definitely have ventilation.