Thanks Nano! Good advice, especially when it comes to protecting your investment. I'm looking at it now and I'll have to read more of the other link UPS thread from this thread. However, I need to try to find the right balance of protection/sound level as well, because I'm in the same boat as Ravich from this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1004739/
Noise is subjective, but I've not had issues with it myself for the Smart UPS line (only the Online models run the fans continuously that I've notices). The BackUPS line is quiet, as Line Interactive models run off of the wall (battery + inverter = switched only when needed). If you get any noise at all, it's the relay as it switches on the auto transformer (i.e. brownout occurs).
Although I am looking at the SUA1500 that you referred to, I also want to take in other vendors for consideration.
For other brands, I tend to stick with Eaton and Tripp Lite. But the batteries differ in cost than those for APC.
When I consider cost over lifespan (figure 12 years), a refurbished APC + 3 sets of batteries (3yr MTBR), it tends to come out cheaper.
Something to consider, so price out the batteries as well to get an idea of what it will cost over time. BTW, the 12yr lifespan is derived from the typical lifespan of electrolytic capacitors (typically ~10 years), and rounded to the nearest whole number for battery replacements.
Batteries can last up to 5 years, but they diminish over time, just like a car battery (same tech = lead-acid). A 3yr MTBR tends to keep you from getting caught with your pants down proverbially speaking (power outage, and it can't supply the time needed to shut down properly).
It seems like their equivalent to the SUA1500 (pure sine wave, Line Interactive unit).
I've no idea as to how good/reliable it is however, as I've never been impressed with their consumer units (= never used one of these). Battery cost is another thing to look into.
I'm really hoping Apple will post up their power consumption page for the new 2010 Mac Pros. Since the Westmere models are using a new 32nm processors, shouldn't that offset some of the energy consumption from the nehalem models? So for example, wouldn't the hex-core be very close or similar to that of the 2009 quad core power consumption numbers?
They usually don't use anywhere near what the PSU is rated for (there to cover worst case conditions). But Yes, the power consumption of the Hex will be ~ the same as the 2009 Quads.
1500VA would be sufficient (larger would mean you have to hire an electrician to install the correct circuit = 240V AC at sufficient current and a
NEMA L6-10R outlet.
I listed my equipment in the prior post. I have everything you just mentioned, but I'm worried because like the OP, as I also have two powered monitors (which can go beyond 200 watts each according to spec sheets), and a powered sub that is part of a 5.1 system that can go up to 505 watts, though I don't intend to blow any of my speakers out so I won't be reaching those maximum numbers anytime soon!
Get a
Kill-A-Watt unit to see what your typical power draw is. Then go from that.
So doing the math, I think it would be better to have two UPS units then? From my very limited reading so far, I have read that a pure sine wave output is still ideal for audio equipment (i.e: home theater), because it may introduce noise in the audio if you use something simulated or stepped. Is this true, and if so, would it be an obvious move to avoid anything less than pure sine wave UPS for audio equipment?
It will depend on what your typical draw is.
If it's too high for a single 1500VA unit to handle, then you can consider using 2x separate units (they'd need to be on separate circuits to be sure you don't trip the breaker; presuming your 120V breakers are rated for 15A).
Or you could go for a larger unit, and have an electrician install the correct circuit needed to run it (i.e 2000+VA unit).
The cost of the Kill-A-Watt unit listed above can potentially save you some serious cash (gets you the correct unit, as the various calculators from APC and other vendors use worst case and then some). Which means, you're going to very likely be shown units that are considerably more than what you may actually need.
), but in the long scheme of things, I much rather have the peace of mind in the years to come, after all bad things happen when we least expect. Now that I have an iPad, I am running VNC on it (logmein ignition) so I can access my Mac Pro from anywhere in the world, whether I am in the States, in China, Europe etc. I want to know that my computer will be safe in the event of a power outage of thunderstorm here in Hong Kong while it is plugged into the wall sleeping or running.
