An uninterruptible power supply or UPS is probably one of the last things gamers will think of when they’re thinking of what they need for their home gaming setup. However, it’s one piece of tech that many probably wish they had when they end up encountering issues with their gaming rig or home gaming console after a sudden power outage occurs. These issues can include losing game progress, data loss or corruption, or, in the worst-case scenario, a damaged component. With a UPS, these issues can be avoided as it allows users to save their game or work progress then safely switch off their rig or home gaming console.
While there are many UPS models available in the market, not every model is suitable for what gaming PCs or home gaming consoles require, such as the type of UPS, the amount of wattage it can supply, its VA rating, and more. APC, one of the world’s most popular UPS makers, has set off to solve this by releasing the APC Back-UPS Pro Gaming last year, a UPS model that’s specifically designed for the potential needs and sensibilities of gamers.
The APC Back-UPS Pro Gaming is a 1320W/2200 VA sine wave UPS that comes in a rather sleek design and with quite a number of bells and whistles that make it fit right into any gaming rig. It also comes in both black (Midnight) and white (Arctic) variants, making it pretty easy to blend into many gaming setups.
Design and Features
The Back-UPS Pro Gaming looks like a very small PC or home gaming console, measuring 29.21 x 10.41 x 40.89 cm. It’s pretty tall and long but is relatively narrow so it can be positioned without it taking too much floor space. It’s also incredibly heavy, weighing in at 12.24 kg. Aside from all of its internal components, a sizable percentage of that size and weight is due to its large battery.
The first thing you notice about the Back-UPS Pro Gaming, aside from its size and weight, is the large circular screen at its top front corner. The screen displays all of the Back-UPS Pro Gaming’s important information, such as its current status, load wattage, load capacity, remaining battery life, and a lot more.
The screen also features a ring light around its circumference that moves and changes color depending on how much battery is left, the battery status while charging, or when the UPS is on battery power. It makes it easy to tell the status of the device even with a quick glance.
Above the screen are four buttons that control the UPS’s functions. There’s a power button, a button to switch between what information is displayed on the screen, a mute button for the UPS’s alarm sounds, and an LED button to switch between the Back-UPS Pro Gaming’s 12 different ambient light colors.
The front of the device also features two USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port so you can charge other devices on it, such as smartphones, peripherals, and other gadgets.
The battery of the Back-UPS Pro Gaming can be accessed by removing the side panel. The battery can then be unplugged and taken out for replacement. This is a nice touch to make the device user-serviceable, as it lets you easily replace the battery once it’s worn out without having to go to a service center.
The rear of the Back-UPS Pro Gaming is where its power outlets and the rest of its ports can be found. From the top, there’s a curved light bar to help illuminate the ports below it, which include Ethernet in/out ports for protecting your PC from power surges that may come from your networking device or modem, and a data port for connecting the Back-UPS Pro Gaming to your PC via USB to utilize its PowerChute Serial Shutdown software.
The PowerChute Serial Shutdown software has several features that lets you fully utilize the Back-UPS Pro Gaming. You can change its sensitivity settings (when the UPS switches to battery power) and alarm settings, check the battery status, and set up an automatic shutdown function. You can even set it so that the UPS turns your PC back on when the power comes back.
Power Outlets
Then there’s the Back-UPS Pro Gaming’s power outlets, where one of my issues with it can be found. While APC has chosen to equip the Back-UPS Pro Gaming with six outlets, only four of those are connected to backup power, while the last two only have surge protection. Furthermore, three of the six outlets are IEC 60320 C13 outlets, which are female versions of the connectors you usually see in PC power supplies. This means you’ll need to purchase new power cables or adapters if you don’t already have them. And not all monitors come with power adapters that use IEC 60320 cables too.
The use of IEC 60320 C13 outlets limits the devices you can use them with without having to resort to using adapters or purchasing new power cables. Equipping the Back-UPS Pro Gaming with standard universal outlets would have been preferable here.
Regardless, the available power outlets are still very usable, especially if your monitor power adapter uses a IEC 60320 cable. You can use two C13 outlets for your PC and monitor while the two universal outlets can be used for your home game console and TV. The final two surge-protection only outlets can then be used for things that don’t need backup power, such as a speaker system or other accessories.
Battery Performance
According to APC, the Back-UPS Pro Gaming is capable of powering a gaming PC for around 10 minutes. We tested this with my own rig that’s equipped with a 750W power supply, an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X processor, and an AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT. I also used my 27-inch 1440p 180Hz gaming monitor.
Surprisingly, the Back-UPS Pro Gaming performed much better than expected. It was able to last for around 15 minutes of playing Counter-Strike 2 before the battery reached low levels. It also lasted around 30 minutes of just web browsing and listening to music. These were both pretty impressive results.
It must be noted though that your mileage may vary greatly depending on your PC’s specifications and what you’re doing when the power goes out and the UPS battery kicks in. For example, doing something like playing a game draws much more power than just browsing the internet. It will also depend on how many devices are pulling power from the UPS at the time.
At any rate, the Back-UPS Pro Gaming will definitely give you more than enough time to save your work or game progress and properly shut down your devices before its battery runs out.
Conclusion
The APC Back-UPS Pro Gaming UPS is certainly a great device that combines a cool design, good features, and impressive performance, but its hefty price tag of PHP 25,500 may make it too expensive for many consumers. However, those who are looking for a UPS that will fit right into their home gaming setup and are able to foot the bill for the Back-UPS Pro Gaming will definitely be pleased with what they’re getting. Nonetheless, a UPS will unquestionably always be a good investment, and the APC Back-UPS Pro Gaming is a great, albeit very expensive option.