What UPS/power-conditioner would you recommend for a brand-new DAW? We don't get many power outages around here (and I always unplug during a storm), but I would like to at least condition the power, if that would be likely to extend the lifespan of my computer. Totally confused as I'm not sure whether to use "pure sine" vs. "simulated sine" UPS, whether I can get by with just a power conditioner, or even just a plain old surge protector.
My pcpartpicker build was estimated at a 479W draw, plus two 32" monitors at around 70W each puts me around 629W total for my studio.
Confused about what kind of UPS/Power-conditioner for computer
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- KVRAF
- 7120 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
I bought a PowerWalker TG model, UPS VFI 1000 TG, which is what is called double converter. It creates a perfect sine on out 230 VAC 50 hz depending on your location, and constantly rectify and charge a battery at the same time as creating AC voltage for you. Battery will run about 5-6 minutes of the load you describe if power outage and giving you time to nicely shut things down.
https://powerwalker.com/product/10122041/
A 1000 VA would be sufficient in your case too.
It's too noisy for studio, so keep it in a neighbour room.
It was just $200 here in europe. So assume 115 VAC 60 hz for other markets too.
Any competition I found to this was at least 3-4 times more expensive.
Brian May use a KIKUSUI PCR1000M to get perfect 234 VAC 50 Hz where ever he goes in the world. His AC30's sound like he wants then. But that is ten times more expensive, around $2000 or so.
https://powerwalker.com/product/10122041/
A 1000 VA would be sufficient in your case too.
It's too noisy for studio, so keep it in a neighbour room.
It was just $200 here in europe. So assume 115 VAC 60 hz for other markets too.
Any competition I found to this was at least 3-4 times more expensive.
Brian May use a KIKUSUI PCR1000M to get perfect 234 VAC 50 Hz where ever he goes in the world. His AC30's sound like he wants then. But that is ten times more expensive, around $2000 or so.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 4345 posts since 20 Feb, 2004
If my area doesn't have frequent brownouts/blackouts, is it worthwhile to get a UPS? Would I be just as well off with a basic surge protector?lfm wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:55 am I bought a PowerWalker TG model, UPS VFI 1000 TG, which is what is called double converter. It creates a perfect sine on out 230 VAC 50 hz depending on your location, and constantly rectify and charge a battery at the same time as creating AC voltage for you. Battery will run about 5-6 minutes of the load you describe if power outage and giving you time to nicely shut things down.
A well-behaved signature.
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- KVRAF
- 7120 posts since 22 Jan, 2005 from Sweden
The ups part was not even part of why I got it, it was that power grid produced voltages spanning 160-280 VAC. Electric company fixed this a couple of years later since outside 10% boundaries.
The double converter fix this by never using the power grid for anything than charging a battery. From this battery voltage 12V or 24V or similar an inverter fixes 230 VAC. No matter what power grid is. This is the clever part.
If voltage is of no concern in your area you don't need it per se.
I just like using when using tube amps for guitar mostly now, since grid voltage is pretty much rectified for anode voltages for tubes, so will sound a bit different depending on what power grid is. Here is normally 235-238 VAC now and converter make that 230 VAC and amps will sound the same every time.
If these conditioners that are to help when thunder and lightning strikes are any good, I have no idea. You mentioned "conditioner" so I focused on that.
If you are looking for protection against thunder just go for that. They have some components that shortcircuit when over voltage and similar.
The double converter fix this by never using the power grid for anything than charging a battery. From this battery voltage 12V or 24V or similar an inverter fixes 230 VAC. No matter what power grid is. This is the clever part.
If voltage is of no concern in your area you don't need it per se.
I just like using when using tube amps for guitar mostly now, since grid voltage is pretty much rectified for anode voltages for tubes, so will sound a bit different depending on what power grid is. Here is normally 235-238 VAC now and converter make that 230 VAC and amps will sound the same every time.
If these conditioners that are to help when thunder and lightning strikes are any good, I have no idea. You mentioned "conditioner" so I focused on that.
If you are looking for protection against thunder just go for that. They have some components that shortcircuit when over voltage and similar.
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- KVRAF
- 16890 posts since 8 Mar, 2005 from Utrecht, Holland
I doubt that will extend life (or usage) by a single day. That computer will be outdated and replaced within 3 to 8 years. It has a power unit of itself, and that should feed a fully stabilized voltage to the parts that really matter.JerGoertz wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:50 amI would like to at least condition the power, if that would be likely to extend the lifespan of my computer.
Especially if power in your home is usually of decent quality, and this doesn't go on the road, I see no use for it. But being dependent on power quality of a questionable diesel aggregator in a tent in the middle of nowhere changes the use case considerable.
Maybe you bought a PC with a cheap/bad power unit, but spending $20 more on a proper one makes more sense than $200-$2000 on a power conditioner.
But if you have a studio full of vintage synths and tube amps, that's a totally different story.
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