UPS??? (Reward for Answer)

It seems so: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2836.
An 8-core Mac Pro consumes 309 to 318 Watt at maximum CPU usage, and the UPS you linked to can support up to 450 Watt.
Strangely I find it hard to believe that such a beast consumes such few power, as CPU, GPU and HDDs usually took more in my PC building days, but that seems to be the technical evolution.

via http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=mac+pro+power+consumption&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

It is not going to have enough power reserve to do anything. We have LARGE UPS systems and they would only power our systems for < 30 mins.

My suggestion is to get a good surge protector or save up for a better UPS.

 

I'd expect only a few minutes of time off that UPS.

 

218s at 309W I presume.

 

Probably less as time goes by.

That's why one keeps their bias lighting plugged into the non-UPS socket, so when the light goes out, its time to save and shutdown at that moment in history.

 

That Apple link is only with the stock configuration. My 8-core (see signature for details) is pulling down 320 Watts right now and I'm not doing much. I can get it up to 400 with little effort.

I personally wouldn't plug my Mac Pro into that UPS. We've got a decent thread about UPSes going here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=692097

.

 

OP, what kind of run time do you expect to need, and what kind of equipment is in the machine (now or expected upgrades)?

450W is too low IMO, as other's have mentioned. You won't have much time on it. Also, as the battery ages, the time will decrease.

 

Yes and no.

Depends on your GPU(s) and whether the system is under load. An octo CAN come in at under 400 Watts when not stressed and with a lower end GPU. But loaded up with GT120's or with a 4870 or GTX285, or even simply loading the system via encoding you'll easily pass the 400W mark.

So for an octo that's a poor choice. Either get a good surge protector or a UPS with a higher watt rating.

 

I don't know if this helps you out, but this is the UPS that I use for my Mac Pro:

http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500LCD&total_watts=200

 

I've one of these as well. It works quite well, and if on a tight budget, may be the way to go vs. the Smart UPS 1500VA unit.