Hey everyone! I'm planning to get a powerful GPU soon, maybe a 4080 or 4070, and I'm concerned about the storms we get around here. I want to protect my PC from power surges since lightning can be a real issue. My main goal is to ensure I can safely shut down my computer, so I'm not looking for a long runtime—just something that will give me a minute or two to wrap things up. Would a 1000W UPS be sufficient since I have a 1000W PSU?
7 Answers
You might be overpaying for a 1000W UPS. A killawatt meter could help you determine the actual power draw of your computer when gaming or benchmarking. Plus, you can always add more runtime with extended battery options on some models.
A good 1000 joule surge protector should work for most setups. Just check that it's rated appropriately before you buy.
Honestly, UPS systems aren't the best for surge protection. If surges are your main concern, you might want to invest in a good quality surge protector. UPS devices are more about preventing data loss due to power outages. I use a powerline conditioner, and it's given me great results.
I'm running an expensive setup with a 7800x3d and 4090, and I found my 1500VA UPS gives me about 12 minutes of backup. I'd recommend going for a 1500VA model just to have some battery left for emergencies, like recharging small devices if there's a long outage.
Definitely, a 1000W UPS should work just fine. You can expect around 5 minutes of runtime, which should be enough to shut everything down without a rush.
Using a UPS is wise if you're in an area with frequent power interruptions. Figure out the total wattage of your PC setup, including any peripherals you want to protect. It's also worth getting a UPS that provides a pure sine wave output, as that helps with power consistency. I recently got a Cyberpower 1000 watt unit, and I'm really happy with it!
Just a heads up, it's important to check if the UPS is truly rated at 1000W. Most UPS units list their capacity in Volt-Amps (VA), so you might want something around 1500VA to be safe. Expect that you won't get too much runtime at full load, but it should give you adequate time to shut down safely during a short outage. Also, keep in mind you'll need to replace the batteries every few years for about $70.
Wow, I just had the same issue with my UPS! Battery replacements can really sneak up on you.
I was thinking about a simple surge protector instead then. Do you guys think that's enough since I'm more worried about surges?
What's a powerline conditioner? Is it better than a surge protector? Let me know which brands you like for both!