Choosing a UPS comes down to a few decisions that actually move the needle, and ignoring the marketing noise around the rest.

Quick Answer

For a clean, cable-managed build, size a UPS by the load you actually run: a line-interactive 850VA/480W unit (around R1,500 to R2,500 at Evetech) covers a router and modem for hours, while a desktop PC needs 1500VA/900W or more for a safe few minutes to save and shut down. Buy a pure sine wave model for any PC to avoid PSU stress.

Sizing it correctly

A UPS is rated in VA and watts; match the watt figure to your real draw plus margin. For just networking gear, an 850VA unit keeps fibre and Wi-Fi alive long enough to ride out a brief power flicker. A full desktop running a clean, cable-managed build needs 1500VA/900W to give a useful runtime to save work and shut down cleanly. Undersizing means the UPS cuts out the moment the PC spikes.

Pure sine wave and runtime

Cheap simulated-sine units can make a PC's active-PFC PSU click, buzz or trip; a pure sine wave UPS avoids that and is essential for any computer load. Runtime falls fast as load rises, so a 1500VA unit might give 5-10 minutes on a gaming PC but an hour on a router. Stock at Evetech moves fast on popular tiers, so check current availability before you commit.

Quick buyer's checklist

  • Pure sine wave output for any PC load
  • 1500VA/900W+ for a desktop; 850VA for networking gear
  • Match the watt rating to your real draw plus margin
  • Enough outlets for PC, monitor and fibre router
  • Treat it as save-and-shutdown time, not hours of runtime

FAQ

What size UPS do I need for a gaming PC?

Aim for at least 1500VA/900W for a desktop, which gives a few minutes to save and shut down safely. Networking gear alone is happy on an 850VA unit that lasts far longer thanks to its much lower draw.

Do I need a pure sine wave UPS?

For any PC, yes. Modern PSUs with active PFC can buzz or trip on a simulated-sine UPS. Pure sine wave output is clean and safe for computers; simulated sine is only fine for simple electronics.

How long will a UPS keep my PC running?

Only a few minutes at full load, by design; a UPS bridges a brief outage and lets you save and shut down, not run for hours. Lighter loads like routers last much longer on the same unit.

TIP

the wattage of everything you will plug in, choose a pure sine wave UPS rated above that, and label it for save-and-shutdown duty rather than expecting long runtime.