OT: New PC!

Baron Munchausen · #1 January 12th, 2006, 05:11 PM

Ouch...

http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/S...NQYF_R0_EN.pdf

It looks like the actual wattage is closer to 60 percent of the VA. That means my 850 VA UPS is only 'adequate' for my load, and AgentZero is in fact going to need a 1000 VA or larger UPS!

AgentZero · #2 January 13th, 2006, 08:37 AM

Good grief. A 1000VA UPS starts at close to eur400. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the whole VA-Watts thing is basically a matter of how long the unit can last in the event of power loss, right? Or does it affect something else as well?
In the seven years I've been living in Dublin, there's only been one blackout I know of, but it was localized and didn't affect me. So I'm not too worries about blackouts, so much as power surges and the like. Given that, I'm wondering if I'd be better off buying just a surge protector, since the likliehood of a blackout is very low.

Baron Munchausen · #3 January 13th, 2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

AgentZero said:
Good grief. A 1000VA UPS starts at close to eur400. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the whole VA-Watts thing is basically a matter of how long the unit can last in the event of power loss, right? Or does it affect something else as well?
In the seven years I've been living in Dublin, there's only been one blackout I know of, but it was localized and didn't affect me. So I'm not too worries about blackouts, so much as power surges and the like. Given that, I'm wondering if I'd be better off buying just a surge protector, since the likliehood of a blackout is very low.

A little bit more will get you a 'line conditioner' -- a surge protector plus a transformer that steps low voltage up a little bit. This additional protection is a good thing to have. Utilities also have 'drops' in voltage as well as surges. This is included in a UPS these days, so you're actually getting three different systems in a UPS: surge protection, low voltage protection, and blackout protection.

You might also try searching for used equipment. After all, it's not like a UPS built now is dramatically better than a UPS built 5 years ago.

I know you can buy reconditioned UPSes from used computer dealers here in the US. Dunno about Ireland or the EU in general (voltage is standardized throughout the EU, right?)

http://www.usedcomputer.com/classifi...Classified.asp

http://www.refurbdepot.com/index.cfm

Renegade 13 · #4 February 20th, 2006, 11:59 PM

Boo ATI graphics card! Nvidia!

Kamog · #5 February 21st, 2006, 03:43 AM

Is Nvidia better than ATI?

Captain Kwok · #6 February 21st, 2006, 03:59 AM

Not necessarily. Renegade 13 might be one of those in-forum marketing guys since Nvidia has been known to use such methods.

narf poit chez BOOM · #7 February 21st, 2006, 04:08 AM

I've always had good results with nvidia.

ati might be better, but I've got no reason to risk a switch.

Renegade 13 · #8 February 21st, 2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Captain Kwok said:
Not necessarily. Renegade 13 might be one of those in-forum marketing guys since Nvidia has been known to use such methods.

Yep, that's exactly it! You caught me!

I get $10 per positive Nvidia comment that may sway someone's opinion

But now that you've blown my cover...I'm screwed!

The only reason for my comment was personal preference. Nvidia has always treated me quite well, I've had no difficulties.

However, I've never even tried ATI so I actually have no basis of comparison.

Fyron · #9 January 13th, 2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

AgentZero said:
Good grief. A 1000VA UPS starts at close to eur400. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that the whole VA-Watts thing is basically a matter of how long the unit can last in the event of power loss, right? Or does it affect something else as well?

The amount of total charge is only the VA rating. W rating is how much power it delivers an a time, so you need a big, beefy one that can deliver 600W or whatever the powe drain was. This does not require a 1000 VA UPS, but rather a 600W one. Maybe 650W to be safe and cover the monitor.

I see absolutely no hard correlation between W and VA ratings on Cyber Power's UPSes. Some are VA = 2 W, some are VA = 1.4 W, etc.

AgentZero · #10 January 19th, 2006, 12:44 PM

It figures that the last thing I'd think of would be the most complicated.

On an unrelated note, does anyone know of a good source for hardware release dates? I've heard nVidia's next generation video cards are due out in Feb, and I'm thinking of holding off on my purchase until they do, to take advantage of the price drop on the ones I want.