Belkin vs. APC UPS?

[RobDMB]

I was wondering how Belkin UPS units compare to APC ones. I'm thinking of spending around 100 dollars for a ups to protect and back up a new system I just built and am looking for opinions on models or brands. My system consists of:

DFI Lanparty UT Ultra
NeoHE430 Power Supply
Opteron 165
3 Hard drives
1 DVD-RW
EVGA 7800gt
Then also I have a external things such as speakers, and external harddrive I would like to protect as well.

 

[Vegito]

I got both.. APC Smart UPS 1500 and Belkin 1000 ones..

APC has 8 outlet all on UPS, the belkin has 6 but 4 on UPS.. but they're like 2 years old now..

just read the manual before buying to make sure its enough..

EDIT: Belkin was the Universal UPS 1000VA

 

[acole1]

i have the 450watt belkin and it is quite nice. power has gone out several times and it has given me time to safely shut down my computer.

 

[LED]

Same as Vegito...I like Belkins software although the Lady can be annoying .
I think Zepper may chime in and give the faults of Belkins...

 

[RobDMB]

For somewhere around $100 dollars is there any specific model anyone would recommend?

 

[Vegito]

I'm assuming your psu is 430w off ur model ?

Would you put your speakers on power or just surge ? Some models has surge only or UPS + surge. so i'm assuming

PC - UPS
Monitor - UPS - CRT or LCD ?
External HDD - UPS
SPeaker - Surge Only ?

 

[RobDMB]

All external things would be fine on surge only. I also have a laser printer that I would just need surge protection for. For battery backup I definitely want at least my computer and monitor. Right now my monitor is a 19 inch crt but I plan on upgrading toa 20 inch lcd soon.

 

[Vegito]

Laser should not be plug into ups... or even on the same outlet..

i think laser start up draw a lot of power.. thats what i was told.. someone here sohuld know..

 

[LED]

Originally posted by: Vegito
Laser should not be plug into ups... or even on the same outlet..

i think laser start up draw a lot of power.. thats what i was told.. someone here sohuld know..

Correctamondo...mine was on UPS and the surge periodically knock me off line and Monitor to go on and off

 

[MWink]

I don't have any experience with Belkin UPS's but their surge protectors are the WORST. They are not even designed to shut down power to the connected equipment when the surge protection (MOV's) are damaged. IMO APC generally makes very good products.

 

[Ike0069]

I use a Belkin and an Opti UPS, and just got a cyberpower. All have been great, especially the Belkin. I really like it's software the best.

I've read a few people really bash Belkins on this board, including mwink, but there also alot of people that think they're great.

I would say APC is one of the top brands, but that doesn't mean the others are junk.

 

[starwars7]

I used the APC calculator to determine how many watts I'd need for a system I'm about to build and it came out with 300W. Does that sound about right for this:

Cooler Master Real Power 550W
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D
AMD Opteron 165
2 X Western Digital 3.0Gbps 250GB 7200RPM 16MB Caviar SE16
eVGA Geforce 6800GS
OCZ 2GB DDR SDRAM Platinum
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS

And a 20 inch CTR (I could plug the CTR into a surge protector and leave just the PC connected to the UPS)

I'm looking at the Belkin F6C550-AVR UPS.

I'm also wondering if there is a way for the UPS to turn off the PC once it goes to battery power.

Thanks!

 

[pkme2]

I have a APC 650 and a Cyberpower 1250. I had to replace the 650 batteries a couple of years ago. Got replacements off eBay at a great price, 1/2 retail.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: starwars7
I'm also wondering if there is a way for the UPS to turn off the PC once it goes to battery power.

Thanks!

Yes. The supplied software will set this up for you.

 

[mazeroth]

My Belkin 500vA makes an annoying beeping sound every once in a while to show too much current is being drawn, or something to that effect. Annoys the hell out of me.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Whatever brand you buy, just make sure it has AVR(Google it).

APC and Tripp Lite are highly rated. I have two Belkins a 1200 and 1500, both have AVR.

Buying from a B&M can save shipping on a heavy item like this, Best Buy and CompUSA

do have sales on APC units.

I bought the Belkin 1500 from Buycom for $120 w/free shipping. They have a Tripp Lite

900 for $99 w/free shipping.

At their home page APC offers a VG guide for UPS selection. The very best units for home

or small office cost over $300, so don't expect much for $100.


...Galvanized

 

[WackyDan]

APC support is awesome, and is the reason I'll keep buying APC.

MY APC 1500 fried after about 10-11 months of use. I was able to immediately get through to both chat and phone support. THey shipped an advance replacement to me and it got to me two days later. Brand new unit, brand new batteries. Sent the old one back to APC.

That is why I always recommend APC.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: WackyDan
APC support is awesome, and is the reason I'll keep buying APC.

MY APC 1500 fried after about 10-11 months of use. I was able to immediately get through to both chat and phone support. THey shipped an advance replacement to me and it got to me two days later. Brand new unit, brand new batteries. Sent the old one back to APC.

That is why I always recommend APC.

Wow, that is very impressive. But you definitley pay a price premimum up front for APC.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: Ike0069

Originally posted by: WackyDan
APC support is awesome, and is the reason I'll keep buying APC.

MY APC 1500 fried after about 10-11 months of use. I was able to immediately get through to both chat and phone support. THey shipped an advance replacement to me and it got to me two days later. Brand new unit, brand new batteries. Sent the old one back to APC.

That is why I always recommend APC.

Wow, that is very impressive. But you definitley pay a price premimum up front for APC.

A bit. But you get what you pay for rings true in my experience. Plus, I bought it with a healthy rebate that I did submit and was paid the typical 6 weeks or so later.... Given that I got great service/support, and a BRAND new unit with fresh batteries.... I think the $20-to $30 premium I paid for the APC has more than paid for itself.