What UPS for Alienware Aurora R4?

Question

Anyone have any thoughts on what would be the right sort of UPS for an Alienware Aurora R4? My understanding is that to calculate the (approx) VA required, you multiply the AMPS by VOLTAGE. The label on the back of the R4 says 7.9 Amps, and voltage is 230. Also allowing for 24" screen (1.5A) = 9.4 x 230 = 2162 VA.

Spec as follows: Core i7 3930k at 3.9GHz, 16GB Ram, 1 x GTX 660 (1.5GB), Creative sound card, Win7 64 bit, 24" Dell screen.

The PC wont be running at full load most likely almost all the time (do they ever?), so I have been looking at one of these: http://www.criticalpowersupplies.co.uk/idialog-ups-1600va-idg-1600

When the UPS cuts in it does not need to sustain the PC for that long, 5 minutes would most likely be ample. Long enough to turn electricity back on, and resume normal operations, or if electricity is not back, time to turn PC off.

Is there anyway to measure how much power the PC is typically using. I don't know what the efficiency rating is of the R4 power supply, but it is 875 watts.

Anyone else with an R4 have any experience of this?

Thanks in advance.

DELL-Kiran K · Accepted Answer

Hi Sphinxy,

Alienware Aurora R4 system are shipped with 875 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply. Hence you may use any UPS between 1200VA to 2000VA depending upon your usage. The UPS that you have provided can be used.

There is no way to measure the power of the computer as the power supply sent with this computer is for maximum wattage.

Sphinxy · Answer

Hi Kiran K,

Thanks for the reply. That helps a lot. The only bit I don't understand is the where you say "There is no way to measure the power of the computer as the power supply sent with this computer is for maximum wattage" what does that actually mean? Does it mean the power supply is always pulling max power it can, if so how much does it pull? I am curious that is all:)

Many thanks.

DELL-Kiran K · Answer

Hi Sphinxy,

Sorry if my previous response was confusing. You will have to use an ammeter to check the power used by the computer. For this I would suggest you to take help from certified local technician.

Tesla1856 · Answer

APC 1300-LCD or 1500-LCD . The 120v USA versions are under $225usd here in the states. I think you need the 240v version which makes it a slightly different machine.

Sphinxy · Answer

Thank you - appreciated :)

Sphinxy · Answer

Thanks for that - makes sense now :)

yiannisr2 · Answer

Kiran

I just got off the phone with Alienware support and they told me that my R$ (bought Jan 2012) shipped with a 600 PSU. I want to upgrade my video cards to the new AMD 8990 and it requires a 850 Multi-GPU - how do I confirm what I have? there is nothing in my order or anywhere i looked to confirm what is the VA rating of my aurora R4

Tesla1856 · Answer

Kiran

I just got off the phone with Alienware support and they told me that my R$ (bought Jan 2012) shipped with a 600 PSU. I want to upgrade my video cards to the new AMD 8990 and it requires a 850 Multi-GPU - how do I confirm what I have? there is nothing in my order or anywhere i looked to confirm what is the VA rating of my aurora R4

Best way is to remove it and look at large sticker on top. Take a pic.

robkoffler · Answer

Remember that most PSU specification sheets show a full load rating which is almost never reached. For a UPS this means that either you oversize as per the 1600VA recommended or perhaps size nearer to the actual power used which will be around 50%. So for the iDialog UPS you could look at an 800VA or 1200VA UPS (www.ecopowersupplies.com/idialog-ups). The advantage of oversizing is that you will get more runtime and perhaps a longer working life from the UPS overall. All UPS should only be run at around 80% load or less.

Automan319 · Answer

I have an Aurora R4 with these specs: i7 3820, 8GB ram, GTX980ti 6GB (prevously GTX660 1.5gb), 2xSSD, 1xHDD, screen Dell AW2310

I'm using the APC Back-UPS Pro, that show the wattage used in realtime and I've noticed that the system never exceeded 480W.

Consider that your GTX660 absorb 100W less than my 980ti

So, i'm pretty sure that with a 900VA model you're ok, cause give you 6 mins of autonomy in case of power loss

www.apc.com/.../techspec_index.cfm

toneus · Answer

Here's a useful tool that can help you choose a suitable UPS based on your requirements: http://www.powerinspired.com/ups_selection_tool.php Mainly for UK users.

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What UPS for Alienware Aurora R4?

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