• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

UPS deal @ CompUSA - Exp. 12/18/04

So it has 6 power plugs. how many computers+monitors can it support? I remember reading bout them, but forgot what #'s to look at. is it the input or power wattage?

PS: cute chick in your avatar as always mackey, whats her name?
 
it's probably best to use for a home computer. 1 monitor, 1 computer, 1 peripheral (like a printer or something).

not sure on exact specs.

whats her name?
Click to expand...
she has a name?? :confused :laughing j/k ummm...i'll have to look it up. just an FYI, she swallows :chuci
 
Last edited:
It'll supply 350VA (VoltAmps) or 180Watts, which will support a typical PC and 17" or smaller monitor for a few minutes. It's certainly worth $20.

A UPS protects your PC from voltage spikes, brownouts, and blackouts. Brownouts are actually the worst scenario for computer equipment, and power supplies specifically.

If you've got expensive audio-video, I recommend a UPS for it also, but you'll need around 600Watts or more due the high TV and audio amplifier current draw.
 
OK. Let's get a few terms and concepts straight here.

Most electronics need what's known as a line conditioner. Basically a baby UPS (Uninterruptable power supply). They take in line power, and then feed your device power from a battery. So any spikes or brownouts get smoothed out by the battery, and therefore can't jack your equipment. The battery itself isn't designed to feed power if nothing's coming TO it though, so during a power failure, it shuts down as well.

A UPS is one step up from a line conditioner. It has enough power stored so that if power does drop, it can sustain computer operations enough to perform an orderly shutdown, or even keep working for a few minutes to a few hours. However, they're not designed to keep EVERYTHING running.

For devices like printers, speaker amplifiers, and other peripherals, a ine conditioner should be siufficient Some UPS boxes have outlets that 'drop' when power goes down, just for such devices. For things like home stereos or TV's, a UPS isn't really necessary... you might want a clock radio available to listen to emergency broadcasts or news, but that's about it.

If you have a broadband connection, you might want to put your modem and/or your router on the UPS as well, so that your network connection doesn't get jacked when the power goes.

Keep in mind what you're willing to do without when the power goes, and what you need to stay running. The stuff that stays running should be hooked to a UPS, the rest can go on a line conditioner or (absolute minimum in my book) a surge suppressor.
 
There's also something else to consider when purchasing a UPS. Do you intend to keep working during the blackout? Or do you intend to just give yourself enough time to perform an ordersly shutdown.

Typically, the need to keep working during a blackout is unnecessary, and if it is something you need, you're unlikely to get it from a CompUSA special. Most of the time, the only thing you need plugged in is the computer itself, and then a USB/serial connection to the UPS. When the UPS loses power, it sends a signal to the PC (USB/serial) to shutdown. Actually, hibernating is a better idea, that way you don't have to worry about saving unsaved changes to documents and the such.

I mean, damn, if I lose power at home during, the last thing I need is a UPS so that I can continue my Counter-Strike fest. I need to go the hell outside!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top