Selecting a proper UPS for home use (gaming PC) in the UK

[sjain]

Hey I'm living in the UK, using this PC: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/TW2y2V draws around 700W . I am looking to buy a UPS. 

I am completely noob in electrics and UPS, so not sure what to look out for. I'm looking for something around 100-200 quid price range that also has electricity filtering / voltage regulation stuff as well as user replaceable batteries, repairability.

 

I heard APC is a great brand and even replaces stuff affected free of charge if it fails with the UPS, up to a high amount or something. But the ones on amazon ive seen have non replaceable batteries, and the other, someone said it is rated for 1 amp when his pc goes 1.6 amp.

 

So, what sort of values/electricity stuff should I look out for? Is there a way I can easily guess how much amps my PC outputs? Any reccomendations for a UPS are welcome.

 

So far in the past 5 years I've had this PC there have been 7-8 power cuts, one of which destroyed my SSD filesystem (but chkdsk /f was an absolute god). our electricity is also pretty crap at times, sometimes when the shower is turned on my lightbulb dims. Pretty sure that is awful for my PC, but oh well. Currently its only plugged into a surge protector with no branding on it (we got a premium one from currys and it was belkin or something, but there is nothing on the protector itself so im not sure anymore) which feels pretty stupid for a PC of this cost. Also, I have to "hardware reset" my PC every time i plug it in (plug in cable > wall on, PSU off > hold power button for 40s), or the PSU goes POP with a small flash and magic smell (i looked into this very hard, but it seems my PSU is fine, everyone has said its ok)

 

I apologise if my post seems like im asking too broadly, this is because im too new to electricty and stuff. If there are more detailed required just ask and I will immediately provide!

 

Thanks in advance

[sub68]

APC has good units

[SorryBella]

4 minutes ago, sjain said:

Hey I'm living in the UK, using this PC: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/TW2y2V draws around 700W . I am looking to buy a UPS.

Damn thats an old system. Brings back memories back when this shit is new (mostly ass, but eh)

5 minutes ago, sjain said:

I am completely noob in electrics and UPS, so not sure what to look out for. I'm looking for something around 100-200 quid price range that also has electricity filtering / voltage regulation stuff as well as user replaceable batteries, repairability.

Most UPS i know usually also comes with power filter and surge protector as well, but most consumer stuff i know doesnt have user hot swappable batteries. You gonna have to tear it down and know how to replace cells.

10 minutes ago, sjain said:

So, what sort of values/electricity stuff should I look out for? Is there a way I can easily guess how much amps my PC outputs? Any reccomendations for a UPS are welcome.

You need to look at your Volt Amps (VA), its basically your capacity in UPS industry. I ran your system to the calculator and you gonna need around 1200 to 1300VA to even have few minutes to alt+f4 (or save) everything. Good news is you can get larger than that for above 200 pounds, but im saying that 1500 or above is more safe.

[sjain]

16 minutes ago, SorryClaire said:

Damn thats an old system. Brings back memories back when this shit is new (mostly ass, but eh)

Hehe, yeah ^w^ I pride on that so much and take care of it, since I got it in November 2015 I've only upgraded storage. Still does 1440p90fps on GTA 5 maxed out, low temps too (GTA5: CPU around 50-60C, GPUs 70-75C and 60-65C, but high usage), I aim to not upgrade for another 5-6 years atleast since i still play mostly the same games. I want it to last forever

 

16 minutes ago, SorryClaire said:

Most UPS i know usually also comes with power filter and surge protector as well, but most consumer stuff i know doesnt have user hot swappable batteries. You gonna have to tear it down and know how to replace cells.

 

Cool. That makes sense I guess, I more meant even that too - as long as its replaceable in some way. Some other ones dont let you at all period and void warranties from what ive seen in reviews. I just like it to be repairable incase, so I dont end up with paperweight.

 

16 minutes ago, SorryClaire said:

You need to look at your Volt Amps (VA), its basically your capacity in UPS industry. I ran your system to the calculator and you gonna need around 1200 to 1300VA to even have few minutes to alt+f4 (or save) everything. Good news is you can get larger than that for above 200 pounds, but im saying that 1500 or above is more safe.

Ok, thanks for doing that! I will look into that as well, and all I need is like 3 minutes (worst case incase some big project running) to quit it all and shut it off. How about the amps though? Im guessing the only way is to get a power meter and measure it myself? I guess my system would be above 1 amp then