How to choose a UPS

[cliffboss]

So recently I have been experiencing my power suypply on my PC will randomly start making crackling noises. Talked to a few people and they said I could be experiencing a brownouts.

Now I have had problem choosing a UPS. My friend said I would need somethign around 1500va, and reading other people random "what ups should I get threads" revealed with a similar system they were being recommended around 700va.

I also ran the UPS choosing tool on apc's website, and they were recommending there more expensive side of ups.

Now the UPS that i want, I don't really care how long i get as long as it is enough to shut down my PC. It should also be able to run the first system in my sig(which will soon be decommissioned, and turned into a file server) and a new gaming rig :) (possibly an i7 and sli) + plus my 24inch lcd monitor

also on the apc site what is the difference between the smart line of ups's and the regular versions

[Old Thrashbarg]

Well, if you just want something to help with brownouts and maybe hold you over for a couple minutes so you can shut down during a blackout, then a smaller one should be fine. I have a 750VA running two, sometimes three computers, a 21" CRT, a 19" LCD, and some various peripherals. It'll give me enough runtime to shut down cleanly during a blackout... haven't timed it but I'd say 4-5 minutes. Granted, my systems aren't super power hungry, but the CRT is, so with your single system you should probably see similar or slightly better results.

I also have an 1100VA that's not currently in use, but it will run my system and CRT for around a half hour (maybe a little more, never tried longer than that).

Sorry, can't tell you the difference between the APC lines... the ones I use are the BackUPS series, and they work great, FWIW.

[Zetto]

smart lines have true sine wave output, while backups only simulated (stepped) wave, that's the only big difference I know. The former is good for Active PFC PSUs which may have issues with non-true wave current