MP 7,1 UPS recommendation for (new) Mac Pro

[basehead617]

My primary work from home machine is now my new Mac Pro, but the prospect of rolling blackouts here in CA has me not wanting to use it from 3pm-10pm without backup power.

I looked up the specs and the power supply maxes out at almost 1300W. When you go to a UPS picker for a company like APC, the ones that support that much power are insanely expensive.

I know that’s like the max-max, including for people running vega ii duo etc - i only have the 580X and don’t do anything very video intensive really. I will tax CPU/ram/etc in this 16 core config.

My work IT is approving and recommending this for expensing:

https://www.amazon.com/APC-Back-UPS-Battery-Protector-BR1500G/dp/B003Y24DEU

but it’s only rated for 865W.

Is it safe to get that one?

 

[LeonPro]

Interested to see how much power your computer is maxing out at, but you are nowhere near the max power of the Mac Pro which you already know to accommodate all slots utilized with headroom.

I'm going to guess you're at less than 500W even, but why don't you buy a Kill-A-Watt or similar electricity usage monitor to provide your actual power draw based on your use case if you need an answer sooner than anyone here can provide.

 

[flowrider]

Proper UPS for Mac Pro 2019? 2000+VA? (Update: MacPro Power Consumption test)

Hi All, about a Proper Uninterruptible Power Supply for a Mac Pro 2019 with 28 cores CPU, 580x GPU, and a 30 inch Monitor( DELL u3014t, 54 Watt on spec). I have tested the power Consumption of above set up Fully Loaded GPU and CPU about 441W Fully Load CPU only about 398W Normal Standby about...

forums.macrumors.com

I'm running this one:

APC UPS BR1500MS, 1500VA Sine Wave UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector, AVR, (2) USB Charger Ports, Back-UPS Pro Uninterruptible Power Supply Black

APC UPS BR1500MS, 1500VA Sine Wave UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector, AVR, (2) USB Charger Ports, Back-UPS Pro Uninterruptible Power Supply Black

www.amazon.com

Which is a sine wave model.

Lou

 

[LeonPro]

Okay so I whipped out my Belkin Wemo Insight plug which reads the Wattage and reports via an app. For my setup as you can see in my signature below with two monitors and a 16-core with a Vega II as well as a couple of equipment connected to the same outlet - studio monitors, Thunderbolt 3 dock, and a multi-function laser printer:

- On standby it dips below 300W
- Editing in Premiere Pro application it was hovering below 500W and sometimes peaking above
- There was one spike of 723W. I don't know when it spikes to that level and why

In any case, it's safe to assume with your configuration, 865W should not be a problem.

 

[basehead617]

Thank you both!

 

[Average Pro]

Keep an eye on B&H. I acquired an APC Smart-UPS 1500VA LCD 120V model for $446 on sale (half off). It's a monster, but I needed to replace a 14 year old APC SU1000XL.

 

[TomMuc]

My work IT is approving and recommending this for expensing:

https://www.amazon.com/APC-Back-UPS-Battery-Protector-BR1500G/dp/B003Y24DEU

but it’s only rated for 865W.

Is it safe to get that one?

i‘d go for one of those we use since years for mac pros under full load overnight cad rendering:

APC 1000VA Smart UPS with SmartConnect, SMT1000C Sinewave UPS Battery Backup, AVR, 120V, Line Interactive Uninterruptible Power Supply

Protect your servers, switches, routers and networking devices with the Smart-UPS SMT1000C with APC SmartConnect, the first cloud-enabled UPS for distributed IT. The SMT1000C UPS provides backup battery power in the event of a power outage, while safeguarding your equipment from harmful power con...

www.amazon.com

APC 1500VA Smart UPS with SmartConnect, SMT1500C Sinewave UPS Battery Backup, AVR, 120V, Line Interactive Uninterruptible Power Supply

Protect your servers, switches, routers and networking devices with the Smart-UPS SMT1500C with APC SmartConnect, the first cloud-enabled UPS for distributed IT. The SMT1500C UPS provides backup battery power in the event of a power outage, while safeguarding your equipment from harmful power con...

www.amazon.com

APC 750VA Smart UPS with SmartConnect, SMT750C Sinewave UPS Battery Backup, AVR, 120V, Line Interactive Uninterruptible Power Supply

Protect your servers, switches, routers and networking devices with the Smart-UPS SMT750C with APC SmartConnect, the first cloud-enabled UPS for distributed IT. The SMT750C UPS provides backup battery power in the event of a power outage, while safeguarding your equipment from harmful power condi...

www.amazon.com

btw your machine i guess draws max about 500w under full cpu and gpu load (200w cpu - 200w gpu - 100w other) - so even the 750 model should work without any problem.

cheers
tom

 

[chrash]

I picked up an APC SMC1500C earlier this year, and, thanks to PG&E rolling blackouts here in California, I've had several opportunities to test it out. Works like a champ and I highly recommend using it with a 2019 Mac Pro.

 

[Average Pro]

And...another shout-out to APC. When it's time to replace the battery, APC can ship it to you via air because it is a "non-spillable battery." I know this because this week I replaced one in an APC in the Pacific. In addition, APC provided a free return on the used battery. So thankful, because there is no where on the island to recycle the battery.

 

[DPUser]

If you buy your replacement batteries from the UPC manufacturer, you are almost certainly paying substantially more than you would if you replace the batteries with generic, like-rated models. There is nothing special about the lead acid batteries used in UPS devices.

Cyberpower Sine Wave UPS's have worked well for me; better value than APS, IMO.

 

[HDFan]

For my iMac Pro I use:

CyberPower PR1500LCD Smart App Sinewave UPS System, 1500VA/1500W, 8 Outlets, AVR, Mini-Tower

A mini-tower UPS with line interactive topology, the CyberPower smart app Sinewave PR1500LCD Provides battery backup, power protection (using sine wave output), and surge protection for corporate servers, department servers, storage appliances, network devices, and telecom installations requiring...

www.amazon.com

Cyberpower has an app which allows you to monitor energy use and cost over time. Last I heard APC does not.



In case you can't get in time (Red Flag alert, which could result in power cutoffs, is Monday through Wednesday) you can check the California ISO app which would give you an idea if there is an impending problem:




Sidenote: Screenshot taken at 1 am. Renewable power goes to 32% during the day when sunlight is available

 

[Average Pro]

The power monitor is cool. Does the software have the capability calculate for the fluctuating rates throughout the day? For example, rates during peak and non-peak times? I think that would be a great way to measure a new item you bring into the home.

I did a price comparison with a generic battery (local retailer). The APC provided a significant savings as I ordered it from my favorite store in NY. And yes, this savings also factored the shipping. And as mentioned above, APC provided free shipping to return the old battery.

 

[HDFan]

Does the software have the capability calculate for the fluctuating rates throughout the day?

Nope. Workaround is to calculate your average rate for the year or season from your power bill.

 

[DPUser]

I did a price comparison with a generic battery (local retailer). The APC provided a significant savings as I ordered it from my favorite store in NY. And yes, this savings also factored the shipping. And as mentioned above, APC provided free shipping to return the old battery.

Glad you got a good price for the APC.

However, I just did a little online comparison shopping and found that, regardless which battery(s) were required. I'd spend less than half buying generic batteries than if I purchased APC or Cyberpower replacements from the manufacturer or a retailer. And the old ones can be dropped off at your local Home Depot for recycling at no "charge."

Just sayin'. : )

 

[DPUser]

CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD PFC Sinewave UPS System, 1500VA/1000W, 12 Outlets, AVR, Mini Tower,Black

A mini-tower UPS with line interactive topology, the CyberPower PFC Sinewave CP1500PFCLCD provides battery backup (using sine wave output) and surge protection for desktop computers, workstations, networking devices, and home entertainment systems requiring active PFC power source compatibility. ...

www.amazon.com

Runs my old Mac Pro dual hex and all connected drives and USB hubs like a champ. I have a second smaller APC unit powering my audio interface and monitor, so no power interruption will cost a client that "magical" take.

I paid less a few years back, but currently running $210.

 

[flowrider]

I have used third party batteries with success. I replaced my last UPS because the display was going out.

Lou

 

[Theophilos]

Based on the comments here and in another 2019 Mac Pro UPS thread, I just picked up this one:

APC 1500VA Smart UPS with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0762QJ6Y1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

To be honest, though, I’m thinking of returning it before opening it, because the box is huge. It weighs 54 lbs! I’m not sure I want something that bulky radiating power next to me all day while I work on my Mac.

Are there any smaller pure sinewave models that would work?

 

[TomMuc]

Based on the comments here and in another 2019 Mac Pro UPS thread, I just picked up this one:

APC 1500VA Smart UPS with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0762QJ6Y1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

To be honest, though, I’m thinking of returning it before opening it, because the box is huge. It weighs 54 lbs! I’m not sure I want something that bulky radiating power next to me all day while I work on my Mac.

Are there any smaller pure sinewave models that would work?

i would stick with that one. most of the weight is the battery - which is also much more durable than the small ones in other models. that with 'radiating power' is nonsense.

edit: in addition this one has seperate outlet groups what is great for remote access the mac pro. you can connect all your network to one outlet group and the mac to the second. this way you can cold start and remote access your mac without killing the network every time.

 

[Demigod Mac]

Do APCs still emit a high pitched coil whine sound? I went with CyberPower - 100% silent and works perfectly.

 

[TomMuc]

Do APCs still emit a high pitched coil whine sound? I went with CyberPower - 100% silent and works perfectly.

we have only 750 and 1500 smart ups models - no whine noise there.

 

[flowrider]

I have a 1500VA APC and have owned APC in the past. Never had any whine noise?

Lou

 

[choreo]

I purchased an APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA LCD 120V in 2009 - still going strong - batteries lasted 3 years avg:

APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA LCD 120V

Buy APC Back-UPS RS 1500VA LCD 120V featuring 1500VA, 865W, 8x Outlets, USB Communication, LCD Monitoring Display. Review APC BR1500LCD

www.bhphotovideo.com

I also purchased an APC Power-Saving Back-UPS Pro 1500 (120V) in 2016 exclusively for my 2012 Mac Pro - started getting the replace battery flashing icon after 18 months! Replaced the battery and started flashing again after 20 months! Replaced battery again and it started flashing after one-week! Took the battery out, plugged it back in and no flashing icon for about a week. Repeated and got about 3 more weeks before icon reappeared. Still flashing - so something is not right - took it out of service tonight (doubt it really needed new batteries the first and second time in retrospect):

APC Power-Saving Back-UPS Pro 1500 (120V)

Buy APC Power-Saving Back-UPS Pro 1500 (120V) featuring Output: 865W/1500VA, Input: 120V, 5x Battery Backup, 5x Surge Protection, NEMA 5-15R, Recharge Time: 8 Hours, Audio Alarms, RJ-45 Connector, LCD Status and Control Console, Cold Start/Hot Swappable Batteries. Review APC null

www.bhphotovideo.com

Just purchased a new APC Back-UPS Pro BN 1500VA Battery Backup & Surge Protector and installed it tonight on the 2019 Mac Pro:

APC Back-UPS PRO BN1500M2 Battery Backup & Surge Protector

Buy APC Back-UPS PRO BN1500M2 Battery Backup & Surge Protector featuring Output: 900W / 1.5 kVA, Input: 120 VAC @ 60 Hz ± 3 Hz, 10 x Total NEMA 5-15R Outlets, 6 x Battery Backup & Surge Outlets, 4 x Surge-Only Outlets, NEMA 5-15P Input Connection (6' Cord), 1080 Joules Surge Energy Rating...

www.bhphotovideo.com

 

[flowrider]

^^^^HaHa - I had all three of the UPS you posted. I gave the first one away after using it for a number of years and replacing the battery twice. The display died on the second one and after two battery changes (lasted from June 2012 to December 2019). I am currently using the third one, since December 2019. The third is my first UPS with sine wave technology.

Lou

 

[Theophilos]

I installed the APC 1500VA Smart UPS tonight based on some members' recommendation that I should use a pure sine wave model with the 2019 Mac Pro. Set up was easy to understand, but boy, that unit is heavy. I really wish I could have purchased this one instead, which seems to be a much lighter/cheaper sine wave model:

B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Computers

Shop Digital Cameras, 35MM Camera Equipment, Photography, Photo Printers, Computers, Home Theater, Authorized Dealer Canon, Sony, Nikon, Apple, Olympus, Panasonic, Kodak, JBL

www.bhphotovideo.com

Ah well, overkill here means my Mac Pro investment will be safe... hopefully.

 

[clueless88]

I saw that LeonPro was able to measure energy usage of his set up and that the total included the laser printer.

I have the laser printer and other non-essential electronic devices hooked up to the "surge protected only" outlets on my old APC RS1200. The desktop and monitor are plugged into the battery backup outlets on the UPS. I figure that way I could get a longer runtime during a power outage. I see that the BR1500MS has two groups of circuits that are both UPS. You could connect your higher power consuming peripherals to a decent surge protector instead of the UPS.

My modem and router are located in a different room and are hooked up to an APC Back-UPS 650 unit so even during an outage we still have internet access.

Every few years the sealed lead acid batteries require replacing, the APCC OEM ones are pretty pricey. I have been buying generic replacement batteries from a local battery distributor--their prices are significantly less than other retailers. The only difference between the larger capacity UPSes like RS1200 and your 1500 and the smaller ones like my 650 is the number of actual physical batteries. The 650 takes one 12V 8 amp battery, the 1200 takes two.

I paid $32.00 for a pair of 12V 8A batteries for the RS1200 versus $99.00 for a genuine APC battery pack. I did have to remove the stickers and the wire harness from the original battery pack and transfer them to the 2 generic batteries, but once assembled it looked exactly like the original. I tested both of the original batteries and found that only one had gone south, so I used the other one to replace one in a Back UPS 650 unit.

APC is a great company, the RS1200 is actually a warranty replacement for an RS850 that had failed during the warranty period years ago.

Theophilos, your Smart UPS should definitely serve you well 24/7.