UPS making strange sounds when playing games

[kronosjt]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum.

While playing games my UPS makes a screeching sound and the LED glows red. If I don't quit the game, the system will power off. As soon as I stop playing, the sound stops. I've had this problem for quite some time though it doesn't happen with all games. Can anyone please tell me what's causing this?

System Specs:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550
GPU: HD 4850 512 MB
PSU: Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 550W
UPS: APC Back-UPS ES 500VA

 

[davcon]

Could be a couple of things.
1. your psu isn't very good, is only a 500W unit,and very inefficient
2. the battery in the UPS could be dead or dying
Realistically though your psu should be more then enough for your system specs
A 4850 pulls only 200W max when stressed.
I would run the game/games again without the ups
If you have the same issues it's software related = gpu/game drivers
If the game/games run fine the ups battery might be spent.

 

[kronosjt]

I've noticed that this happens when the GPU load is 100% or close to it. Here's a set of readings for GPU. I thought the battery charges when its plugged in to the socket. And how does the battery come into play when the UPS is on mains??

Date , GPU Temperature [°C] , GPU Load [%] , GPU Temp.(MEMIO) [°C]
2011-03-30 17:51:17 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:18 , 81.0 , 100 , 86.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:19 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:20 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:21 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:22 , 79.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:23 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:24 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:25 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:26 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:27 , 80.0 , 99 , 87.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:28 , 80.0 , 99 , 88.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:29 , 80.0 , 99 , 87.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:30 , 80.0 , 99 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:31 , 80.0 , 99 , 87.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:32 , 80.0 , 99 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:33 , 80.0 , 99 , 86.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:34 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:35 , 80.0 , 99 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:36 , 79.0 , 99 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:37 , 80.0 , 99 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:38 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:39 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:40 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:41 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:42 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:43 , 81.0 , 100 , 87.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:44 , 79.0 , 99 , 86.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:45 , 80.0 , 99 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:46 , 80.0 , 99 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:47 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:48 , 79.0 , 100 , 87.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:49 , 80.0 , 100 , 86.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:50 , 78.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:51 , 80.0 , 99 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:52 , 80.0 , 99 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:53 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:54 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:55 , 79.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:56 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:57 , 81.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:58 , 80.0 , 100 , 86.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:51:59 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:52:00 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:52:01 , 81.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,
2011-03-30 17:52:02 , 81.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:52:03 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:52:04 , 80.0 , 100 , 87.5 ,
2011-03-30 17:52:05 , 80.0 , 100 , 88.0 ,

 

[kronosjt]

The PSU is in fact 500W not 550W. That's a typo.

 

[Jantech]

The PSU is in fact 500W not 550W. That's a typo.

What size is the UPS? It sounds like to might be underpowered for your equipment.

Sean Kuchle
Jantech Services
www.JantechUPS.com

 

[leon2006]

Your UPS is under powered or short of capacity

UPS: APC Back-UPS ES 500VA is a 300 Watt UPS. 300 Watts is the real capacity of your UPS.

Conclusion is you need a bigger UPS for your PC.


When you purchase a UPS look for WATTs(Real Power) rating not the VA. VA is the VOLTA AMPERE rating in AC. It is not the RMS or True power rating of the UPS.



http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=APC+Back-UPS+ES+500VA&hl=en&prmd=ivns&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=7782001257458073191&sa=X&ei=ZraUTbC4IdL7tgel79HnCw&ved=0CJIBEPMCMAI#

 

[kronosjt]

But why should the UPS battery drain when it's on mains?? The PSU has 2 12V rails @ 18Amps each. Is that not enough to power my system. I have the following components connected.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550
GPU: HD 4850 512 MB
4 GB DDR2 RAM (2x2GB)
1 5400rpm HDD
2x7200rpm HDD
1 Optical drive
2 80mm fans

 

[leon2006]

The thyristors (Triacs and or SCRs or relays) that is use to provide power to the load is most likely rated close or >= 300 Watts. Regardless of the status of the battery if the the load is higher than the capacity controls will shut it off to prevent damage( to Triacs, SCRS, or relays) due to overload .

That UPS is fitted with parts for ~ 300Watts. Higher load can damage those parts so eventually it will shutdown. It has nothing to do with battery.

 

[leon2006]

Get a new UPS with higher capacity and you will be fine. Again when you purchase a UPS focus on RMS Power Rating in WATTS. Don't look at the VA rating. Its confusing but it is what it is.

Use this calculator to assess your load in Watts. This is use for PSU calculator in Watts. Your existing PSU should be close or greater than the number that the calculator.

http://www.antec.outervision.com/

For example if the calculator result is 400W PSU and your PSU is 450W... Buy a UPS with Watt rating greater than 450W... 500Watts will suffice. Your UPS Watts capacity must always be greater than your PSU rating.

Again VA and Watts are not the same electrical parameter.

Example of gross calculation:
I normally load my UPS to ~80% 85% max... Say for example my PSU is 850Watts. My UPS is ~ 1200Watts. Why 1200 Watts ? because i need to factor in my 90Watts monitor.

Don't forget the monitor that you also plug in to your UPS.

 

[kronosjt]

I'll try running the game without the UPS.