How do I choose a UPS for PC please?

bluedog

I've got a Gateway 5056b Media centre pc that I want to connect up to my sky box/tv.

The first thing I think I need to get is a UPS, but I don't really understand them beyond them being a battery back up in event of a power cut.

I've been searching on Amazon (have some vouchers ) and it brings up such a wide range of products that it's not much help .

Can anyone give me help me figure out what I'm looking for please?

MX5huggy

Why do you want a UPS? won't really cause you much trouble if the power goes off and how oftern does that happen these days any way.

thomas01155

They also prevent power spikes to protect your equipment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninterruptible_power_supply

LardyCake

Do you want the UPS to keep the PC going for an extended period of time? - in which case go for the UPS with the highest battery rating (that you can afford and will fit in your living room!)

or
If you just want the PC to be shut down tidily after the power has been off for, say, 5 mins? - then go for the cheapest UPS but make sure it can connect to your PC to tell it when the power fails. Look for a USB connection from the UPS to your PC and software to run on the PC to handle the shutdown after power failure. I think APC & Belkin provide suitable UPS in this category.

isofa

MX5huggy wrote: »

Why do you want a UPS? won't really cause you much trouble if the power goes off and how oftern does that happen these days any way.

Misnomer. A power cut or spike (often associated just before a cut), can potentially cause lots of damage to a system. I've seen it happen on several occasions.

Depending where you live in the UK power isn't always 100% reliable, some people experience short power cuts frequently. In the coming years it's likely brownouts will be more likely, unless the UK get their act together with energy.

I've been running APC UPS units for years - they come highly recommended. You are getting a filtered mains supply (smooth supply, no spikes etc) and battery backup for x minutes depending on the type you buy.

There are several threads on this forum discussing UPS units over the past 6 months, very good one here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1030677

Run a search to find more.