APC Back-UPS Pro for Gaming Review

If you’re a gamer and looking for an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) without shattering the bank, APC – American Power Conversion and Schneider Electric Australia may have a solution for you with their APC Back-UPS Pro Gaming unit. At its core, the APC Back-UPS Pro for Gaming (2200VA/1320W) has been designed to keep you connected via its powerful battery to your virtual worlds should a power outage occur plus surge protection for anything connected to it.

So how long will this UPS power your equipment?

APC has provided this handy graphic below to give you an estimate of how much time you have to reach your save point or defeat that pesky boss in Elden Rings Shadow of the Erdtree.

Of course for the Gaming PC or next-gen consoles, you do need to factor a display (*) into this equation but even so, this is what a Gaming UPS has been designed for – a power-up to finish your current gaming task (or PC function) and then shut down your system.

* As a example, the LG 27GR75Q display draws 45watts of power.

And connections? The APC Back-UPS Pro has 6 total outlets, 3 of which are covered by battery backup and surge protection, and 3 for surge protection only. This unit has a surge energy rating of 1080 Joules which is the amount of emergy it absorb before if fails plus it features Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to correct voltage dips and surges to proper levels. Additionally it comes with PowerChute Serial Shutdown, an easy-to-use safe system shutdown software for PCs with power and energy management features.

So courtesy of Schneider Electric Australia, Impulse Gamer was given the chance to check out their APC Back-UPS Pro for Gaming.

APC Back-UPS Pro for Gaming Features

• Protected
  A gaming battery backup helps protect your valuable gaming system from more than seven different types of power interruptions
• Connected
  After shutting down your game, a gaming UPS will continue to power your router and/or modem, enabling you to stay online with a mobile device
• In The Game
  Power out? Don’t worry. Stay in the game to finish your match, fight the boss, and reap the rewards you might have lost
• Reactor circle
  When the UPS is on battery backup power, the reactor circle ticks down so you can see how much time is left at a glanc
• 160° visbility
  The reactor circle was specifically designed to be visible from nearly any angle, so you can stay focused on your game
• Functional lighting
  When APC Back-UPS Pro Gaming detects a power anomaly like surges, dips, and even wiring faults it notifies you with pulsing lights
• Longer equipment lifespan
  When your equipment is powered with sine wave and automatic voltage regulation (AVR), it maximises the life span of all connected electronics
• Stable backup power
  Sine wave powers your sensitive high-end electronics with stable sine wave power to avoid screen flickers, computer crashes, and sound interference
• Efficient and cooled
  Gaming rigs powered by sine wave will run cooler and more efficiently on backup power to avoid overheating damage to your electronics

It’s also important to know that this UPS uses a Pure Sine Power which converts DC power from batteries to AC power to ensure the electricity flows in one direction with a constant level of voltage / polarity. This is needed for devices connected to a mains power and with the Pure Sine Wave Power, it provides stable and clean power to prevent interference or damage. In other words, the battery via the UPS is like being connected to the mains.

Box Contents

• UPS
• USB cable
• Safety Guide
• Australian power cable
• Plug Adapter – Universal to NEMA

Unboxing Gallery

As you can see, the APC Back-UPS Pro for Gaming really distances itself from “non-gaming” UPS units because it is a very sleek and stylish looking unit with curves and gamer inspired aesthetics, particularly with its RGB lights. It actually looks like a mini-PC gaming rig that features an LCD on the top, including controls just above it. Also on the front are 3 USB ports (Type A+ C) which makes this UPS quite a holistic device, although it is limited by 15 watts.

Also complementing the 6 outlets on the rear are Ethernet In and Out ports because this also can be affected by surgers. There is also a circuit breaker reset button that may need to be pressed if any overload condition has tripped it plus the USB and Serial Data Port which is used to connect it to a PC in order to use the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Software. Lastly the APC Back-UPS Pro for Gaming comes in two colours Arctic (White) that we reviewed and Midnight (Black) so you can match it to your gaming space.

The Setup

For safety, the UPS is shipped with the battery disconnected, however the setup is very easy. To connect the battery, you simply lay the UPS on its side with the battery door facing up. You then push down on the locking tabs and then pull the door away from the case. This allows you to remove the protective label on the battery connector in order to connect this to the battery. By raising the battery out of the unti with the handles, you can then connect the red wire and black wire before placing the battery back into the unit. Lastly, you replace the cover on the APC Back-UPS Pro and you’re ready to go! The UPS is also quite heavy as well, 12.5kg with the main weight being the battery.

The most challenging part of the setup is figuring out what you’re connecting into the UPS. For battery backup with surge protection, it was my Gaming PC, Xbox Series X and Samsung Display. For surge protection only, it was my NBN FTTP Connection Box and ASUS Router. The electrical outlets on the rear also feel heavy duty so nothing will fall out or be partially connected.

If you have a PC gaming rig connected to the UPS, I strongly recommend that you install the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Software as it will save any files you are currently working on and will safely shutdown your system. Once it detects a steady power source, it restarts your computer. In order to use this feature, you need to visit www.apc.com/pcss to download the software which will take you through a wizard in setting it up – this includes connecting the UPS to your computer via the included USB cable.

The display will also inform the user on the activities of the UPS such as load capacity, battery capacity and error messages (for example) via icons and text. Another cool attribute is the reactor circle that visually alerts you to remaining power, surges, dips, power outages and even building wiring faults. Oh… the RGB lighting is fantastic and just adds to the overall gaming aesthethics, particularly in a darkened room.

Apart from visuals, the APC Back-UPS Pro provides audio prompts such as a beep every 0.5 second for overload / low battery or 4 beeps every 30 seconds to indicate battery mode. With that said, the UPS will provide quite a few visual prompts to support the end-user in order to give them the best possible protection and battery backup support. In relation to the battery, APC states that the typical life span is 3 to 5 years which will then need it to be replaced.

Final Thoughts?

The APC Back-UPS Pro for Gaming from American Power Conversion and Schneider Electric Australia targets gamers and more importantly targets them well. Not only is it affordable priced but offers a wealth of protective features, including battery backup that also screams gamer.

Recommneded!

APC Back-UPS Pro for Gaming Technical Specifications

Output

• Power Capacity: 2200VA / 1320W
• Nominal Output Voltage: 207VAC-253VAC
• Output Voltage Frequency (Hz): 50/60Hz ± 1Hz
• Waveform Type: Sine Wave
• Power Factor: 6

Input

• Nominal Input Voltage: 230VAC
• Total Outlet Number: 6
• Outlet Type: Australia+C19
• Protection: Surge Energy Rating: 1080 Joules
• Coax protection: No
• Dataline Surge Protection (Gigabit): Yes
• Input Over Current Protection: Circuit breaker 15A

Physical

• Unit Dimensions: H:29.1cm x W:10.5cm x D:40.8cm
• Unit Weight 56 kg
• Runtime (half load): 4 min 15 s
• Runtime (full load): 5 min
• Colour: Arctic (White) or Midnight (Black)

USB Outlet

• USB Voltage Range: 75V-5.25V; Load=3A
• USB Outlets: 2x Type A, 1x Type C
• USB Charger: 5V/3A total

Battery Information

• Battery Type: Lead-acid
• Battery User Replaceable: APCRBC216

Management

• Alarms: On-battery, low battery alarm, low battery shutdown, replace battery detected
• Shutdown Software: PCSS

Conformance:

• Certification and Approvals: RCM
• Warranty and Equipment Protection: 2 years for UPS