A proper UPS for QUAD-GPU systems

[shogunofharlom]

I currently run a dual 7990 quad gpu setup with a 1300watt evga g2 gold psu. I own a Cyberpower 1500va ups. However, I can only run the quad-gpu setup in cxf when the computer is plugged directly into the wall as the ups performs an auto-shutdown when the gpus are under full load. This is perhaps the pinnacle of 1st world problems. I cant find a ups to properly protect my uber gaming rig while under load.
Do any QUAD-GPU owners have a suggestion for ups? If you do not have a quad-gpu system or have never owned one plz limit your comments. Plz do not post comments about how my rig is impractical. I already know that and dont give a damn. It looks cool as hell and besides this issue the performance is just fine.

 

[McDuncun]

A 1500VA ups translates roughly to about 900-1000W output. I think the UPS is under too much load when the cards start drawing max power. Id say you`ll have to get al least a 2000VA good quality UPS and even that will not give you that much standby time(10min max). But if you only want enough time to shut down your system manually and keep it surge free then a 2000VA should do the trick.

You cn buy extra batteries for it if you want to extend power out time but it should not be needed.

 

[Rogue Leader]

I agree with McDuncun and in fact I've seen very few "desktop" UPS systems that will put out the power you need, usually they max out around 1000w tops.

A 2000va unit will give you about 1300w of power and should last 15-20 minutes. I have my PC triggered to shut down in 5 minutes and I would suggest that as well. Obviously if there is a power outage you will notice and likely stop playing whatever is driving 1300w out of your PC and go take care of more important things.

 

[InvalidError]

There is no magical cure there, your UPS is under-sized to handle power outages while under load and you need something bigger and a price tag in the $450-850 range depending on how much battery time and capacity headroom you want.

 

[USAFRet]

The UPS is there to facilitate a gentle shutdown in the event of complete power failure, not to continue gaming at full power.

 

[Rogue Leader]

The UPS is there to facilitate a gentle shutdown in the event of complete power failure, not to continue gaming at full power.

Correct but whatever the UPS is rated at is about the max power it will put out even when running off wall power. I've seen this problem numerous times in the past, folks buy a cheap UPS, and then as soon as the PC draws more power than its rated for it starts beeping and shuts off.

 

[Rookie_MIB]

I don't have experience with quad GPU systems, however I do have three servers (one web and two support servers) down in my basement in a mini rack, in addition to a desktop system (dual GPU) and two monitors. The UPS system I have is a server grade system, not one of the little under desk units or on desk system. This is an APC Smart UPS 1500 with two additional full size daisy chained battery packs. Each unit weighs in at about 50-60lbs, but the whole thing will run my systems for about one hour under full load or four hours under nominal load.

I managed to get it for free - it needed new batteries which I managed to find locally at a steal of a price - total investment was about $200.00. The unit new is about $500 - here's the link.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6ZP3KN9346

 

[USAFRet]

The UPS is there to facilitate a gentle shutdown in the event of complete power failure, not to continue gaming at full power.

Correct but whatever the UPS is rated at is about the max power it will put out even when running off wall power. I've seen this problem numerous times in the past, folks buy a cheap UPS, and then as soon as the PC draws more power than its rated for it starts beeping and shuts off.

Right. He just needs a bigger ($$$) UPS.

 

[InvalidError]

Right. He just needs a bigger ($$$) UPS.

Or upgrade to a more energy-efficient GPU.

$500 UPS with $300 worth of external batteries or new GPU and keep his existing UPS. In this sort of extreme case, both options will cost him the better part of $900.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Right. He just needs a bigger ($$$) UPS.

Or upgrade to a more energy-efficient GPU.

$500 UPS with $300 worth of external batteries or new GPU and keep his existing UPS. In this sort of extreme case, both options will cost him the better part of $900.

You wouldn't even need the batteries, this right here would do the job for $550:

https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/ups/network/or2200pfcrt2u

However I do agree, $550 is 980Ti or R9 Fury X money and a wiser way to spend it. That said his Quad 7990's with the right games would be a lot faster. That said as per his post, he doesn't care, and hey if he likes it, enjoy.

 

[shogunofharlom]

The UPS is there to facilitate a gentle shutdown in the event of complete power failure, not to continue gaming at full power.

Correct but whatever the UPS is rated at is about the max power it will put out even when running off wall power. I've seen this problem numerous times in the past, folks buy a cheap UPS, and then as soon as the PC draws more power than its rated for it starts beeping and shuts off.

You are the only one to have actually understood the problem at hand. I realize finding a single ups that can support my rig at full load on battery is basically hopeless within a reasonable budget. The problem is that the ups shuts-down my system WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN ON BATTERY. When the computer ramps to full load the $200 ups simply cannot power it any longer even with dedicated wall power.

I have considered buying two separate psu, one for the system and one for gpu, and two separate ups and plugging each psu into separate ups units. This is likely the most cost effective way to properly protect the system.

 

[Rogue Leader]

The UPS is there to facilitate a gentle shutdown in the event of complete power failure, not to continue gaming at full power.

Correct but whatever the UPS is rated at is about the max power it will put out even when running off wall power. I've seen this problem numerous times in the past, folks buy a cheap UPS, and then as soon as the PC draws more power than its rated for it starts beeping and shuts off.

You are the only one to have actually understood the problem at hand. I realize finding a single ups that can support my rig at full load on battery is basically hopeless within a reasonable budget. The problem is that the ups shuts-down my system WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN ON BATTERY. When the computer ramps to full load the $200 ups simply cannot power it any longer even with dedicated wall power.

I have considered buying two separate psu, one for the system and one for gpu, and two separate ups and plugging each psu into separate ups units. This is likely the most cost effective way to properly protect the system.

I don't think thats such a good idea. As I mentioned this:

https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/products/ups/network/or2200pfcrt2u

Provides 1300w of power, at $550.

2 PSU's (at about $100 each), plus 2 decent UPS's (at $150+ each) and the complication of that whole setup is definitely not cost effective or worth it.

 

[InvalidError]

I have considered buying two separate psu, one for the system and one for gpu, and two separate ups and plugging each psu into separate ups units. This is likely the most cost effective way to properly protect the system.

Assuming the system won't malfunction if one power supply shuts down or starts up earlier or faster than the other. If you choose to do this, make sure there is no electrical continuity between the +12V devices/connectors you want to power from the "main" PSU and the devices you decide to power from your extra PSU. If the two PSUs are bridged together through a GPU or the motherboard, whichever of them has the higher nominal voltage will provide most of the current. If a fault happens, the fault will also see the combined current of both PSUs and quickly degenerate into a far more spectacular failure than if there was only one PSU. The two PSUs may also decide not to play nice with each other and cause all sort of weirdness.

Long story short: dual PSU setups are generally not recommended unless the PSUs are designed specifically for that.