I need a ups especially for when I have to flash the bios

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merle van osdol

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Message 1582226 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 14:10:39 UTC

My rig has a psu of 750 watts - 600 watts min. I may be getting another which may be 800 or 850 watts. One thing I want to be sure of is that the ups gives me enough time to allow a bios flash. I have never had a ups before. How much should I pay or any other tips from the group? Thanks
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Message 1582227 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 14:22:49 UTC - in response to Message 1582226.  
Last modified: 5 Oct 2014, 14:28:25 UTC

I've had both Cyberpower and APC. I'd suggest going for at least the equivalent of your max on the power unit. If you can afford it, then maybe 100 volts higher. What I used to do before I went over 750 Watts. Once you leave 850 Watts territory it gets really expensive to get a UPS. Now I just use a very good and expensive (but less so than an equivalent UPS) Power Surge protector. I say this because last thing you want to do is get too low of an UPS and have it start screaming at you or shutting down all the time.

I think Cyberpower 900 watts is close to $140 from NewEgg but some places go as high as $200. Make sure to look at Watts not Volts

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102048

When you look at the name of this product you get confused by the 1500 in it
CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series CP1500AVRLCD 1500VA 900W 8 Outlets UPS

You have to make sure to look for the watts. OK?

Zalster
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Message 1582229 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 14:33:18 UTC - in response to Message 1582227.  
Last modified: 5 Oct 2014, 14:34:50 UTC

thanks Zalster,
Yes but from time to time where I live the power goes out. Maybe once a month for 1 minute, or once every six months for over 5 minutes. The surge protector would leave me possibly ruining the MB during a bios flash or am I missing something?

OK, I'll look for watts.
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Message 1582232 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 14:45:32 UTC - in response to Message 1582229.  
Last modified: 5 Oct 2014, 14:46:39 UTC

I think I'll order that one that you linked. I also will test my 750 watt psu computer to see how many watts it is actually pulling then perhaps I can keep the new psu no high than 750 -800 watts.

That ad clued me in to also plug in my router. :-)
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Message 1582233 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 14:45:57 UTC - in response to Message 1582229.  
Last modified: 5 Oct 2014, 14:46:57 UTC

All I'm saying is go for the UPS. Once you go above 900 Watts Power supply it gets expensive to get a UPS with the same about of back up coverage. UPS are best choice as long as you can afford it. I don't know about flashing the bios while still having work units. I do know that loss of power while crunching any work units can corrupt them. I'm not sure I would ever want to flash the bios while I'm working on something (or unless I absolutely had to do so) Others may have more ideas on that part.

Zalster

Edit...
Always for a little more, I've found at times unexpected spikes in power usage so better to have the extra headroom
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Message 1582262 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 16:48:03 UTC - in response to Message 1582229.  

thanks Zalster,
Yes but from time to time where I live the power goes out. Maybe once a month for 1 minute, or once every six months for over 5 minutes. The surge protector would leave me possibly ruining the MB during a bios flash or am I missing something?

OK, I'll look for watts.



How often do you flash the bios on a motherboard? I think I've done one in the last 30 years ;-)

P.
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Message 1582285 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 18:37:47 UTC - in response to Message 1582262.  

Yes but still, when you do one, do you want to chance frying the MB. I mean that is a lot of grief. I've only done 2 but I should have done 3 but was chicken because I was too new at things like that then. There are other times too when I had wished I had a ups; certain backups and long downloads or other critical choirs where a sudden shutdown would mean a loss of a lot of work. Plus, you can use one ups on more than one machine. Move it where you need it.
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Message 1582291 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 18:55:35 UTC

A dual bios or a recovery option has been pretty standard for MBs for quite a while. So the power going out isn't as big of a deal as it once was.
With how often you say the power goes out a UPS can help extend the life of your electronics for sure. I normally try to aim for about 50% load for the UPS I use at home. Because in the $100-200 home UPS segment you normally only get a few minutes at full load and usually 10-15 min at half load without buying an extended rum tine model and extra batteries. I use several small UPSs instead of one larger one. The smallest is a 1000VA in the living room for all of my home theater stuff and my HTPC. Because I don't want the power going out to interrupt a movie I'm watching.
When shopping for a UPS, besides the VA and Watt rating, look at the Full Load and Half Load run times. Also be sure to shop around. I often end up buying my UPSs locally because shipping on a UPS is more than paying a few dollars more at a local store.
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Message 1582293 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 19:08:01 UTC - in response to Message 1582285.  
Last modified: 5 Oct 2014, 19:38:38 UTC

When using high-end GPU's make sure your PSU has enough separate +12V -18 to 25Amp connectors.
Best to supply each GPU with it's own +12V rail, especially twin GPU's.
They 'll need almost 30Amp's when used at 100%.

I now us 2 AMD/ATI HD5870* GPÚ's, each has a separate +12V 22Amp 8 pin PSU connector.
The Mobo has it's own connector, + 3.3V; + 5V ad + 12V.
* Each GPU can draw 180Watt at 100% load.

I use a Kill A Watt (K)Watt meter, doing 4 Einstein BRPS WU's, 2 per GPU and all
8 'cores' off the I7-2600 are used at 100%, the PC draws 465 Watt, according to the Watt meter.
The HDD's also have there own power supply connector, +5V and + 12V.

Some "overhead" is more off a safety measure. 25% to 50% is sufficient.
Most PSU's have about 98% efficiency and hardly produce any extra heat.
I use a 1KWatt modular PSU. It has 6 +12V connectors, 4 are 24 Amp\s.
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Message 1582312 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 20:14:36 UTC - in response to Message 1582291.  

Hal, thanks
Yes, now I remember reading about those dual bios things. I'll check my MB documentation on Thurs. when I get it. Then decide on the UPS.

I didn't know that power outages degraded your electronics.

I also thought maybe I should have a cheaper one just for the router so I don't have to be lugging my other rig into another room. Pretty soon I'll have to holdup another bank. :-)



A dual bios or a recovery option has been pretty standard for MBs for quite a while. So the power going out isn't as big of a deal as it once was.
With how often you say the power goes out a UPS can help extend the life of your electronics for sure. I normally try to aim for about 50% load for the UPS I use at home. Because in the $100-200 home UPS segment you normally only get a few minutes at full load and usually 10-15 min at half load without buying an extended rum tine model and extra batteries. I use several small UPSs instead of one larger one. The smallest is a 1000VA in the living room for all of my home theater stuff and my HTPC. Because I don't want the power going out to interrupt a movie I'm watching.
When shopping for a UPS, besides the VA and Watt rating, look at the Full Load and Half Load run times. Also be sure to shop around. I often end up buying my UPSs locally because shipping on a UPS is more than paying a few dollars more at a local store.
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Message 1582319 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 20:31:41 UTC - in response to Message 1582312.  

Hal, thanks
Yes, now I remember reading about those dual bios things. I'll check my MB documentation on Thurs. when I get it. Then decide on the UPS.

I didn't know that power outages degraded your electronics.

I also thought maybe I should have a cheaper one just for the router so I don't have to be lugging my other rig into another room. Pretty soon I'll have to holdup another bank. :-)

The ASRock Z87 Extreme4 you mentioned that you ordered does have a dual bios.

Power outages can slowly degrade your electronics a bit like not putting water treatment on a wooden fence or deck.

Besides moving a computer near your modem/router setup you might be able to relocate the modem/router. It is always up to whatever the easiest option for you happens to be. I got lucky when I bought my place. As it already had a cable outlet near where I wanted to put my primary computer.
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Message 1582324 - Posted: 5 Oct 2014, 20:49:57 UTC - in response to Message 1582319.  
Last modified: 5 Oct 2014, 20:52:17 UTC

Hal,
1) Thanks about that bios.
2) Double Duh on the 'what shall I move'. :-)
Just haven't had much sleep lately, think I'll just turn in.

The ASRock Z87 Extreme4 you mentioned that you ordered does have a dual bios.

Besides moving a computer near your modem/router setup you might be able to relocate the modem/router. It is always up to whatever the easiest option for you happens to be.
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Message 1582368 - Posted: 6 Oct 2014, 2:12:32 UTC

I agree with the main idea behind the device. Who wants to suddenly cut off. I have a APC BX1300G Back-UPS XS Battery Backup - 1300 VA, 780 Watt ups. I got it for more than outages. I use the AVR (automatic voltage regulator) in the unit. Think of it as a power monitor. It helps smooth out the micro power sags and spikes. These micro events are cumulative in nature. I do not want my electronics to die before their time. So I use it as a power conditioner. While I wait for the big one.

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Message 1582392 - Posted: 6 Oct 2014, 4:39:48 UTC - in response to Message 1582227.  
Last modified: 6 Oct 2014, 4:58:24 UTC


I think Cyberpower 900 watts is close to $140 from NewEgg but some places go as high as $200. Make sure to look at Watts not Volts



@Zalster

The Cyberpower here is also 1500va/900w and looks similar to the unit you linked, but produces a true sine-wave output, has 10 outlets and is ~$200 at Newegg and elsewhere.

A true sine-wave output is supposedly better for newer psu's.

I have this one and so far, so good...we'll see when the weather turns in the next month or so...

@OP

I had a Gigabyte mobo lockup during a BIOS flash once. Three or four years ago. RMA'd it to Gigabyte and they soon sent me back a working board. No problem.

Lt

edited...
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Message 1582487 - Posted: 6 Oct 2014, 11:38:15 UTC

Since my MB has a backup system for a bios flash and I haven't planned my next holdup, I think I will have to cancel my plans for the ups for the forseeable future.
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Message 1582507 - Posted: 6 Oct 2014, 12:27:56 UTC - in response to Message 1582487.  

At least get a surge suppressor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2F81X20535

and or with a voltage regulator

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812106005

Leaving a computer only connected to the outlet is very risky, especially after you put all that money into it.

Zalster
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Message 1582509 - Posted: 6 Oct 2014, 12:50:55 UTC - in response to Message 1582507.  
Last modified: 6 Oct 2014, 12:53:41 UTC

Well sure I have surge suppressors. Always have.
I never have used a voltage regulator and am not sure about how necessary they are.
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Message 1582573 - Posted: 6 Oct 2014, 15:48:08 UTC

How necessary depends on how good your local supply is.
If you are prone to significant dips below your national regulations then they can be very useful, likewise if you are prone to extended periods of excessively high voltage (beyond a few seconds) they can be useful. For most folks they do very little.
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Message 1582594 - Posted: 6 Oct 2014, 16:11:45 UTC - in response to Message 1582573.  

I've had my Dell here in this location for 5 years now and no problems, so maybe it isn't too bad. But these newer computers should last longer than that since the upgrading by intel, etc. isn't what it used to be when I started with a 286. Also since I'm using the higher priced graphic speedsters and big power supplies maybe I should use a regulator. Looking to the future. On the other hand, I am getting up in years. I'm gonna' take a nap and think it over.
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Message 1582600 - Posted: 6 Oct 2014, 16:29:16 UTC - in response to Message 1582594.  

I used to have 2 UPS for both of my top crunchers, but once they power usage went over 850Watts for each of them the UPS couldn't keep up. So I ended up removing them and bought some really good surge protectors. But I know the voltage in the building varies from time to time during the day here as I used to hear those UPS kicking on and off to regulate the voltage being sent to the computers so that is why I ended up buying Voltage management regulator as well. Only thing I don't have is battery backup for them. I know I should just go for a bigger UPS but I don't have an extra $1000 lying around so those will have to wait. Besides, we have back up generators in this building should power every go out (which it has a couple of times during big storms) so for now I'm going with these.
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