Some questions re a backup solution for desktop PC

[Scoperzor]

Been rummaging through this forum and haven't quite found the answers I'm looking for, and wanting to make sure I'm on point given that I know close to nothing about this stuff.

Wanting a solution for load shedding, doesn't matter if it doesn't last the full 4h30, a few hours is good. I need to power my desktop PC and router, that's about it.

My desktop is a fairly high-end gaming rig, with an 875w PSU, but I doubt it ever uses close to that. On eXtreme Power Supply Calculator (not sure how accurate this site is to measure power), my usage clocked in below 500w which seems accurate given that I'm running a single Nvidia GTX 970 but nothing else really too fancy in the machine.

Question 1: Would I need to get something higher than 875w or just cover the 500w plus room for a margin/efficiency loss? Is it worth going for a 600w inverter or better to be safe and go 1000w?

Was looking at the following: http://www.geewiz.co.za/long-run-up...emote-no/upgrade_to_steel_cabinet_w_wheels-no

Question 2: How long would that solution generally last me in a single use, assuming I'm only using the PC as described above?

Question 3: Any alternate recommendations?

Question 4: Any tips on operating that kit wrt recharging and usage etc?

Thank you!

 

[ProAsm]

Well I have a desktop PC, iCore 7, Gigabyte Mobo, nVidia Geforce X570, 4 gig mem (32 bit) 3 hard drives installed, 600 Watt Power Supply, 24 inch Monitor, Genius Sound System, Netgear N150 Router and the whole lot only uses 150 watts max when I'm playing a game online.
I use a 300 watt modified sine wave inverter (R599 at Makro) with a 102 AH battery and it lasts 3.5 hours.
However you must not use it for more than 2 hours else you'll destroy the battery, I only tested it to see how long it would last.
I intend getting a 2nd battery.

 

[Bowsie10]

I see Inverter Warehouse has a 800w unit that would work for you, you can always add a second battery at a later date if need be.

 

[Scoperzor]

Well I have a desktop PC, iCore 7, Gigabyte Mobo, nVidia Geforce X570, 4 gig mem (32 bit) 3 hard drives installed, 600 Watt Power Supply, 24 inch Monitor, Genius Sound System, Netgear N150 Router and the whole lot only uses 150 watts max when I'm playing a game online.
I use a 300 watt modified sine wave inverter (R599 at Makro) with a 102 AH battery and it lasts 3.5 hours.
However you must not use it for more than 2 hours else you'll destroy the battery, I only tested it to see how long it would last.
I intend getting a 2nd battery.

That's interesting, I never imagined it would be so low. Can anyone else confirm their usage from a desktop PC?

 

[Gordon_R]

There is a big difference between the 'peak' power used at startup and the average power, depending on the mumber of CPU cores, and installed peripherals. In addition newer CPUs with mutilple cores may go into 'sleep' mode, or slow down the frequency, while waiting for user activity. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_management

The 'rated' value of a power supply unit (PSU) includes voltages that may be used more than others (3V, 5V, 12V, -12V, etc), so that the actual usage is far below the stated value. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply_unit_(computer)

 

[Scoperzor]

http://www.saeg.co.za/index.php?a=2&b=334

Any opinions on the MR power inverters? Seems adequate for my needs, but I can't find info/reviews on many of these brands being sold locally. Was thinking just to scale up a little to be safe - my desktop case is quite flashy (Alienware with CPU water cooling), Intel i7 3770k, Nvidia GTX 970, few HDDs.

 

[ProAsm]

@ Scoperzor, why don't you just get yourself a cheap laptop to tie you over during load sheds.
I have a Acer iCore5 and it only draws 65 watts max.

 

[Scoperzor]

@ Scoperzor, why don't you just get yourself a cheap laptop to tie you over during load sheds.
I have a Acer iCore5 and it only draws 65 watts max.

It's going to end up costing a similar amount anyway, and then I won't be able to do everything I want to the same level as on my desktop PC. This route doesn't seem like a hugely expensive one for what I'm getting.