Gaming on battery power? Let’s test the APC Back-UPS Pro (1,320 W)
APC has added an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for gamers to its range, designed for up to 1,320 watts. But it’s also interesting for other applications.
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) protects against faults in the power grid. In the event of an outage, it continues to supply your devices with power thanks to its large battery. If you connect a PC or network-attached storage (NAS) to the data port of a UPS, you can also set them to shut down automatically before the battery runs out.
Especially with a NAS, where data’s constantly being written, protection against power fluctuations or failures is important. This is why I’ve been using a UPS privately for some time now, and am looking forward to this test model, the APC Back-UPS Pro (BGM2200B-GR), which can handle up to 1,320 watts. Thank you to the manufacturer for providing me with one. The gaming UPS costs between 350 and 480 francs/euros, depending on when you buy it.
Until now, I’d never thought of getting a UPS for my gaming PC, PlayStation or Xbox. But if the UPS supports enough watts to supply my gaming OC with power in addition to the modem, router, switch, Hue Bridge and NAS, I won’t say no.
What makes this gaming UPS different
French company Schneider Electric, the parent company of APC, advertises this 12.24-kilogramme UPS for gaming. Like other UPSs, it has a useful information display, but only offers two C13 type power output sockets. There are also four additional Schuko connections for the same purpose. This makes things a bit complicated for me as a Swiss user – I have to use adapters (there’s no CH version). But I'm willing to look past that because of the UPS's value for money.
Essentially, the gaming version is no different from other APC models, such as the sister model, the Back-UPS Pro 1200SI, which I tested some time ago. The biggest change – aside from aesthetics – is its maximum permitted load of up to 1,320 watts.
What the UPS offers externally
Of the six outlets at the rear, only the top four (two C13 and two Schuko) offer surge protection as well as a connection to the battery. That’s where I connect devices that have to continue running in the event of a power failure. The two lower Schuko sockets provide only surge protection, so that’s where I connect my printer.
The power input socket (type C20) and the input circuit breaker are located at the bottom of the rear panel. At the top, there’s a data port for the included RJ45 to USB-A cable. There are also two additional network sockets (also RJ45, «in» and «out»), which provide the modem’s network cable with surge protection.
There are two USB-A ports and one USB-C socket on the front, which you can use like a power bank. Again, current will continue to flow there even in the event of an outage, however, only with up to 15 watts in total. Above those, there’s an information display surrounded by an LED ring. In the event of a failure, the ring will show the battery status in colour. During normal operation, it’ll display one of twelve selectable colours or nothing at all. A second LED on the back of the device is colour-synchronised with the ring. Finally, there’s a third, white APC logo LED at the front, which can also be turned off. The UPS is operated using four buttons located between the logo and the display.
Operation: same as with other APC UPSs
Operating this gaming version doesn’t differ from other APC Back-UPS, aside from the LED settings.
After pressing and holding the power button, I hear a high-pitched beep followed by a clicking sound. All attached devices immediately spring to life. At the same time, the UPS performs a short self-test, then remains quiet (until the first power failure).
In addition to the power button, there’s an info button that switches through different data slides or brings up programming mode when held down. There, I can set the sensitivity for switching to battery mode in relation to the input voltage (low, medium or high).
There’s also an LED and a mute button. The latter mutes alarm sounds in the event of power failures or faults. Otherwise, the UPS will beep four times every 30 seconds when it’s in battery mode. If the battery has just three minutes of juice left, the alarm will sound continuously.
Status display: useful and clear
By default, the display is set to turn off after one minute. Above the dividing line, I can always tell whether the UPS is connected to a power supply or running on battery power. Likewise, that section indicates whether the battery has to be replaced due to age – it’s supposed to last three to five years. Furthermore, there’s a symbol indicating load intensity and battery life.
Under the line, there’s some key numbers and info about problems (system errors, surges, automatic voltage control). Pressing the info button takes me through the following metrics: input voltage, current frequency of the mains voltage, output voltage, number of events (power failures), the estimated remaining battery time in minutes, and applied load in watts, volt-amperes and per cent.
The data port and automatic shutdown
If you connect the data port to USB-A on a PC or NAS (network storage) using the cable supplied, the UPS will use it to transmit information. First, it shares whether power is currently being drawn from the mains or the battery. Second, it transfers the current charging capacity of the battery. And third, you’ll also see the estimated time until your UPS enters standby mode. The time is calculated based on the battery status and applied load.
I’ve tested the connection to the NAS with both a Synology (DS918+) and a Ugreen model (DXP 4800 Plus) – both passed perfectly. The UPS is recognised as soon as I plug it in. When activating the UPS function in the NAS system settings, I can configure the time at which the device should shut down on battery power. This works reliably with both.
Additional software for Windows: old-fashioned and a chore to download
I’ve also tested the data port connection in Windows (gaming PC). Both in Windows and macOS, you can also configure your device with on-board tools. There’s software for Windows that offers extra options. Until recently, it was a struggle due to its old-fashioned graphic interface. Luckily, the latest version of PowerChute Serial Shutdown relies on an interface that’s operated in the web browser. I much prefer that. It works, but still looks old-fashioned.
Another annoying thing about PowerChute is that if I want to download the software, I have to create a user account with Schneider Electric first. I’m even forced to enter the retailer I purchased my hardware from in addition to my e-mail address. Probably half the world knows that I’m a Digitec Galaxus AG customer now.
By the way, if you want to enable automatic shutdown in Windows without the software, you can do so in the power options in the advanced settings. There, you can define which battery charge is considered critical and which action Windows should trigger when this is reached.
Battery operation only: reliably copes with power failures – short life as expected
The job of a UPS isn’t to keep you gaming for hours on end. It’s designed to protect against surges and prevent a server or PC from stalling in the middle of a process in the event of a power failure. If you’re playing games with power-hungry hardware, you’ll only be able to do so for 30 seconds to a few minutes before the UPS battery runs out of juice in the event of a power failure. Still, this is enough to bridge brief outages and power fluctuations and to shut down devices if necessary.
I’ve put my UPS to the test several times, happily pulling the plug again and again to simulate power cuts. Thanks to the UPS, my devices weren’t affected. Switching to battery operation and back is practically seamless, taking eight to ten milliseconds. In contrast to mains operation, the UPS on battery power is loud and clear – because that’s when the fan turns on.
As far as battery life is concerned, my observations match the manufacturer’s official specifications. Here’s what you can expect:
If you were to use the full 1,320 watts, the battery would be empty after 28 seconds. Still, long enough to shut down a PC. If you connect a toaster drawing 1,300 watts to the UPS, the capacity will last five seconds longer – congratulations, you get to toast bread for 33 seconds. If I connect my gaming PC with its Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080, keyboard, mouse and 34-inch monitor to the UPS, a maximum of 790 watts is drawn. In the event of a power failure, the battery would last for 3 minutes and 51 seconds.
However, if I only connect my modem, Wi-Fi router and Synology NAS to the UPS, I stay under 100 watts. This way, I can continue surfing on my smartphone via Wi-Fi for at least 57 minutes. If the Internet isn’t affected by the power outage as well, that is.
What about charging?
Fully charging the battery from empty takes 16 hours.
One key figure to end on: if I leave the UPS switched off with a full battery connected to the power supply (standby mode with APC LED on), I measure an average consumption of 6.1 watts using an ammeter from Steffen.
In a nutshell
Good UPS, but I wouldn’t buy it exclusively for gaming
With the APC Back-UPS Pro, you get what the manufacturer promises: a large battery that’ll continue to supply even a powerful gaming PC plus accessories with power for a short time in the event of an outage. The device is simple to use with just four buttons, and the display is easy to read. In addition, the connection via a data cable and automatic shutdown work just as smoothly on all my test devices.
I’m pleased across the board, really. Just a pity that the old-fashioned PowerChute Serial Shutdown software is only available for Windows. Mac and Linux users are left out in the cold, no extra functions here. It’s also annoying that I first have to create an account to download the software and am forced to enter the retailer I bought the UPS from.
In my opinion, it’s only worth supplying a gaming PC or games console with a UPS if other devices can be powered too. Say a modem, Wi-Fi router and especially a NAS. That’s just better value for money. In addition to the lower power consumption, a NAS minimises risk more than a PC. Keeping your own cloud running and avoiding data loss is more important than extra protection for a gaming PC. If I lose data on a NAS, restoring a backup takes longer than troubleshooting a PC.
All in all, APC does a good job with its UPS at a moderate price, so I recommend it.
Pro
- Designed for up to 1,320 watts
- Automatic shutdown thanks to data port connection
- Does its job flawlessly
- Simple operation and clear display
- Fan only audible in the event of a power failure
- LEDs can be deactivated
Contra
- No CH version: you’ll need a Schuko adapter for use in Switzerland
- Windows-exclusive PowerChute Serial Shutdown software looks outdated
- Software download requires account registration and vendor details
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Martin Jud
Senior Editor
martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.chI find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.
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