APC by Schneider Electric SYA8K16IXR vs Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN: Specification Comparison
Both the APC Symmetra LX SYA8K16IXR and the Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN are 8 kVA-class rack-mount uninterruptible power supplies intended for data center and critical infrastructure deployments. A buyer evaluating either unit is weighing scalability, efficiency, output flexibility, and management depth for loads in the 6–8 kVA range. The comparison is meaningful despite limited spec disclosure on the APC side: enough architectural and output data exists on both units to address the key purchase criteria for this product class.
In This Guide
- How do the two UPS units compare on rated power, output voltage, and scalability?
- Which unit delivers higher efficiency and what topology does each use?
- How do the two units compare on management interfaces, communications, and physical form factor?
- Which should you choose: the SYA8K16IXR or the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
How do the two UPS units compare on rated power, output voltage, and scalability?
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN carries an explicit dual rating of 8,000 VA and 8,000 W, indicating a unity power factor—a meaningful advantage for modern server loads that draw close to or at unity PF. Its output is user-configurable between 208 VAC and 120 VAC, and its input accepts a typical 208 VAC feed with a wide range of 176–280 VAC, offering resilience against facility-side voltage sags and swells.
The APC SYA8K16IXR is specified at 8 kVA scalable to 16 kVA N+1, which is its defining architectural differentiator: the Symmetra LX platform supports modular power and battery frames, meaning capacity can be expanded without replacing the unit. Output voltage is listed as 230 V. No watt rating, input voltage range, or power factor figure is provided in the supplied specifications, so direct kW-to-kVA ratio comparison cannot be made from available data.
For buyers whose load will grow beyond 8 kVA, the SYA8K16IXR's scalability to 16 kVA with N+1 redundancy is a structural advantage the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN does not offer. For buyers with a fixed 8 kW load at unity PF and a 208 V North American facility, the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN's confirmed 8,000 W rating and wide input range directly address that need.
Which unit delivers higher efficiency and what topology does each use?
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN uses an on-line double-conversion topology, which provides the highest level of power conditioning and zero transfer time to battery. Efficiency is explicitly rated at up to 98% in Active ECO Mode and up to 95% in standard on-line mode. The ENERGY STAR 2.0 certification and UL1778/c-UL listings are stated in the provided specs.
The APC SYA8K16IXR's topology is not explicitly stated in the provided specifications, nor is any efficiency figure or ENERGY STAR certification listed. The Symmetra LX product family is known in the industry as an online double-conversion platform, but that cannot be confirmed from the specs supplied here and is therefore not cited as a verified claim.
On the basis of available spec data, the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is the only unit with a confirmed topology, confirmed efficiency ratings, and confirmed third-party certifications (ENERGY STAR 2.0, UL1778, RoHS2, REACH). Buyers in regulated environments or those calculating total cost of ownership through energy savings should note that the GXT5's 98% ECO-mode efficiency figure is a documented specification; no equivalent figure exists in the SYA8K16IXR data provided.
How do the two units compare on management interfaces, communications, and physical form factor?
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN ships with a factory pre-installed Vertiv RDU101 SNMP/Web card, enabling network management out of the box with no additional card purchase required. Additional interfaces include USB, RS485, RS232, a terminal block, and an external battery connector. The control panel is a full-color graphic LCD with gravity-sensing orientation—automatically adjusting its display for rack or tower installation. Physical dimensions are fully documented: 10.2 in H × 16.9 in W × 25.6 in D, 224.8 lb, with hardwired input/output and optional PODs for additional receptacles.
The APC SYA8K16IXR provides only limited physical data in the supplied specifications: 19 in width (rack-standard) and a color designation of Black/Silver. Rack unit height, depth, weight, management card options, interface types, and control panel description are all absent from the provided spec set. The Symmetra LX platform supports APC's AP9xxx network management cards, but no such detail is confirmed in the data supplied.
For IT buyers who need to confirm rack space requirements before ordering, the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN's complete dimensional and weight data is immediately actionable. The SYA8K16IXR's missing rack-unit height and depth figures require a separate datasheet lookup before rack planning can proceed. On management, the GXT5's factory-included SNMP card eliminates an additional line item; the SYA8K16IXR's management card situation cannot be determined from the specs provided.
Which should you choose: the SYA8K16IXR or the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
Our take: The GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is the stronger choice when the buyer needs a fully documented, fixed-capacity 8 kVA/8 kW on-line UPS for a 208 V North American data center environment with management capabilities ready out of the box. It carries a confirmed 8,000 W unity-PF rating versus no watt figure for the SYA8K16IXR, a documented 98% ECO-mode efficiency versus no efficiency figure for the SYA8K16IXR, and a factory-included RDU101 SNMP card versus no confirmed management interface in the SYA8K16IXR's provided specs. Conversely, the SYA8K16IXR is the stronger architectural choice for buyers whose power demand will grow: its 8 kVA scalable-to-16 kVA N+1 modular design allows capacity expansion without unit replacement, a capability the GXT5 does not offer. Buyers on a fixed 8 kVA ceiling in a 208 V facility should favor the Vertiv; buyers planning phased capacity growth or requiring built-in N+1 redundancy should favor the APC.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | APC by Schneider Electric SYA8K16IXR | Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN |
|---|---|---|
| Power Rating (VA) | 8,000 VA (scalable to 16,000 VA) | 8,000 VA |
| Power Rating (Watts) | — | 8,000 W |
| Power Factor | — | 1.0 (8,000 VA = 8,000 W) |
| Scalability / N+1 | Scalable to 16 kVA, N+1 | — |
| Topology | — | On-line double conversion |
| Efficiency (ECO Mode) | — | Up to 98% |
| Efficiency (On-line Mode) | — | Up to 95% |
| Input Voltage | — | Typical 208 VAC; Range 176–280 VAC |
| Output Voltage | 230 V | 208/120 VAC (user-configurable) |
| Wiring | — | Hardwired in/out; Optional PODs |
| Management Interface | — | RDU101 SNMP/Web (factory installed), USB, RS485, RS232, terminal block |
| Control Panel | — | Full-color graphic LCD with gravity-sensing orientation |
| Battery Type | Lead-acid | — |
| Height | — | 10.2 in |
| Width | 19 in | 16.9 in |
| Depth | — | 25.6 in |
| Weight | — | 224.8 lb |
| Operating Temperature | — | +32 to +104 °F (0 to +40 °C) |
| Certifications | — | ENERGY STAR 2.0, UL1778, c-UL, RoHS2, REACH |
| Color / Finish | Black, Silver | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the SYA8K16IXR or the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
The GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is the stronger choice when the buyer needs a fully documented, fixed-capacity 8 kVA/8 kW on-line UPS for a 208 V North American data center environment with management capabilities ready out of the box. It carries a confirmed 8,000 W unity-PF rating versus no watt figure for the SYA8K16IXR, a documented 98% ECO-mode efficiency versus no efficiency figure for the SYA8K16IXR, and a factory-included RDU101 SNMP card versus no confirmed management interface in the SYA8K16IXR's provided specs. Conversely, the SYA8K16IXR is the stronger architectural choice for buyers whose power demand will grow: its 8 kVA scalable-to-16 kVA N+1 modular design allows capacity expansion without unit replacement, a capability the GXT5 does not offer. Buyers on a fixed 8 kVA ceiling in a 208 V facility should favor the Vertiv; buyers planning phased capacity growth or requiring built-in N+1 redundancy should favor the APC.
Can either UPS grow with my data center if my power needs increase beyond 8 kVA?
Only the APC SYA8K16IXR explicitly supports scalability—its spec lists it as scalable from 8 kVA to 16 kVA in an N+1 configuration. The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is rated at a fixed 8,000 VA / 8,000 W with no scalability noted in the provided specifications. If capacity growth beyond 8 kVA is anticipated, the SYA8K16IXR's modular architecture is the relevant differentiator.
Which unit is more energy-efficient, and does either carry an ENERGY STAR rating?
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is the only unit with documented efficiency figures in the provided specs: up to 98% in Active ECO Mode and up to 95% in on-line mode. It also carries an ENERGY STAR 2.0 certification, UL1778, and c-UL listings per its spec sheet. No efficiency rating or ENERGY STAR status is listed in the APC SYA8K16IXR's provided specifications.
Do I need to purchase a separate network management card, and what physical space will each unit require in my rack?
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN includes a factory pre-installed Vertiv RDU101 SNMP/Web card—no additional purchase required—and its full dimensions are documented: 10.2 in H, 16.9 in W, 25.6 in D, 224.8 lb. The APC SYA8K16IXR provides only a 19 in width figure in the supplied specifications; rack-unit height, depth, weight, and management card inclusion are not stated in the provided data and would need to be confirmed via APC's datasheet before rack planning.
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