Finding the watt rating of your computer?

[doctorhardware]

Most of the new UPS's will tell you that you are over drawn on the ups capacity. No it will not burn up the UPS. But if you are not over the ups capacity but very close it will not last that long.

[copyless]

Miles, I had originally posted an example, but decided to remove it because I thought it might cause too much confusion. As their are numerous factors as in your article to determine what your power supply will actually supply.

doc, it's fine, I read this thread this morning and was going to stay clear because I just worry about taking shortcuts, and skimping on certain things. As I am sure you well know, there are some things that should not be fudged on, and for me supplying power is one of the most important factors for any circuitry. I would not even consider trying to get away with the least amount I needed, or undercutting the supply I had.

Myself I would say forget all the testing, and buy at least a 500 watt UPS, 450+45=495 to me, this would be the least amount I would consider. I mean I think you will want to plug your modem and monitor in also.

This is an example of advertising, three manufacturers selling an amplifier. One says output is 300 watts, another says 600 watts, and the third shows 212 watts. But, yet all three are describing the exact same device. Are they lying, no, just giving different aspects. One is showing Peak, one P~P, and one RMS. I know this has nothing to do with the discussion, I just wanted to throw it in, because it's something that has always tee'd me off.

[doctorhardware]

Yes I know that is the biggest quagmires of audio amplifiers. I always hunt for the RMS ratings. IMHO is the only good rating to use to compare amplifiers. That is the biggest lie some manufactures use to make their equipment look better.

[admin]

For UPS's, you need to look at the VA rating and then look at the power load of your PC. This online calculator works well:

http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/

[MilesAhead]

@copyless I gotcha'. I just posted that link since I happened across it and I thought it might be interesting to people like me who have some idea how stuff works but not really sure what all the numbers signify.