[SOLVED] What UPS VA do I need?

[Jay1203]

Hi! I'm really a newbie when it comes to these things, I am planning to buy a UPS but I don't know what "VA" I should get.

My PC specs:

Mobo: MSI B450M
GPU: Gigabyte RTX 2060 6Gb
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600x
2x8 HyperX 2666Mhz DDR4 RAM
1 Samsung EVO 500GB NVmE M.2
2 WD HDD 1 TB blue
PSU: FSP 750W
Monitor: Samsung 27 inch LED

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ralston18]

What are your requirements?

For the most part a UPS should be sized to provide power just long enough for the end user to do a proper shutdown: 5 - 10 minutes perhaps.

Not to continue gaming, browsing, etc..

However, some users need more time - especially if there is some on-going process that needs time to finish. Rendering video for example.

Most UPS manufacturers provide some sort of online worksheet that you fill in with details about your system and expectations/requirements.

The manufacturer then provides a recommended UPS model/ "VA".

Generally the recommendation leans towards a more expensive model.

Start by going online and doing some worksheets. Get a sense of the questions being asked and the specific products recommended thereafter.

Do not get too distracted by whistles and bells. You do not need all sorts of fancy "extras".

Then read online product reviews by verified purchasers and professional reviewers.

And once you have narrowed down to just 2 or 3 UPSs then go online again and visit the applicable manufacturer's website.

Find and read the entire UPS User Guide/Manual. Including fine print, caveats, warranty, troubleshooting sections.

Read, if available, the manufacturer's FAQ's and Forums. Pay attention to what is said as well as what is "not said".

 

[Jay1203]

What are your requirements?

For the most part a UPS should be sized to provide power just long enough for the end user to do a proper shutdown: 5 - 10 minutes perhaps.

Not to continue gaming, browsing, etc..

However, some users need more time - especially if there is some on-going process that needs time to finish. Rendering video for example.

Most UPS manufacturers provide some sort of online worksheet that you fill in with details about your system and expectations/requirements.

The manufacturer then provides a recommended UPS model/ "VA".

Generally the recommendation leans towards a more expensive model.

Start by going online and doing some worksheets. Get a sense of the questions being asked and the specific products recommended thereafter.

Do not get too distracted by whistles and bells. You do not need all sorts of fancy "extras".

Then read online product reviews by verified purchasers and professional reviewers.

And once you have narrowed down to just 2 or 3 UPSs then go online again and visit the applicable manufacturer's website.

Find and read the entire UPS User Guide/Manual. Including fine print, caveats, warranty, troubleshooting sections.

Read, if available, the manufacturer's FAQ's and Forums. Pay attention to what is said as well as what is "not said".

Thank you for replying, I think I just need time to properly shutdown the computer when power failure occurs. I've logged in to a website pcpartpicker.com and I "virtually" build my existing computer in it and it says that I am consuming (pardon me, i don't know the correct term) about 365W. So with that, can a 1000 VA or less UPS do it?

 

[Ralston18]

Does that 365 watts include the monitor? What time frame?

You may not be immediately available to do a normal shutdown. Allow some extra time/capacity. 5 - 10 minutes is my requirement.

You need the UPS to provide power to the computer and at least one monitor.

Here is a link that should help:

https://www.lifewire.com/size-an-un... Total,increase runtime if significant enough.

Next go to the various UPS manufacturer's websites and enter in the respective wattage for each system component.

Or other "calculator" UPS websites.

Objective is to come up with a consensus regarding how the necessary VA for the PSU. Then add 15%.

If the supported system is indeed using only 365 watts then a 1000 VA UPS should be sufficient but only for a few minutes.

Read the applicable manuals and pay attention to the fine print, warnings, and caveats.

 

[Jay1203]

Does that 365 watts include the monitor? What time frame?

You may not be immediately available to do a normal shutdown. Allow some extra time/capacity. 5 - 10 minutes is my requirement.

You need the UPS to provide power to the computer and at least one monitor.

Here is a link that should help:

https://www.lifewire.com/size-an-uninterruptible-power-supply-5208486#:~:text=To size your needs: Total,increase runtime if significant enough.

Next go to the various UPS manufacturer's websites and enter in the respective wattage for each system component.

Or other "calculator" UPS websites.

Objective is to come up with a consensus regarding how the necessary VA for the PSU. Then add 15%.

If the supported system is indeed using only 365 watts then a 1000 VA UPS should be sufficient but only for a few minutes.

Read the applicable manuals and pay attention to the fine print, warnings, and caveats.

Yes sir, that includes the monitor.
I think I would buy the 1000VA UPS

Thanks a lot for the help Ralston! Appreciate it.