APC by Schneider Electric SYA8K8I vs Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN: Specification Comparison
The APC Symmetra LX SYA8K8I and Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN are both 8 kVA-class online double-conversion UPS systems designed for critical infrastructure protection. Both target data center, telecom, and enterprise IT environments where continuous clean power is non-negotiable. The comparison covers power architecture and efficiency, physical form factor and environmental tolerances, and management and integration capabilities — the three axes that most directly drive purchase decisions in this product class.
In This Guide
- How do the power architecture and efficiency of the SYA8K8I and GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN differ?
- What are the physical and environmental differences between the SYA8K8I and GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
- Which UPS offers better management, monitoring, and integration options?
- Which should you choose: the SYA8K8I or the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
How do the power architecture and efficiency of the SYA8K8I and GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN differ?
The APC SYA8K8I is rated at 8 kVA / 5,600 W output, yielding a power factor of 0.70. It operates on 220/230/240 V or 380/400/415 V input and delivers output via a single Hard Wire 3-wire (H N + G) connection. No efficiency figure is stated in the provided specifications.
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is rated at 8,000 VA / 8,000 W, yielding a unity (1.0) power factor. Input is 208 VAC nominal (range 176–280 VAC) and output is 208/120 VAC user-configurable. Vertiv specifies up to 98% efficiency in Active ECO Mode and up to 95% in standard on-line double-conversion mode. The GXT5 is hardwired in and out with optional Power Output Distribution (POD) modules available.
The power-factor gap is significant: at full 8 kVA load, the SYA8K8I delivers 5,600 W of real power while the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN delivers 8,000 W. Buyers sizing UPS capacity against watt-rated loads will find the GXT5 supports substantially heavier real loads at the same VA rating. Efficiency data is available only for the Vertiv unit; no corresponding figure is provided for the SYA8K8I.
What are the physical and environmental differences between the SYA8K8I and GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
The APC SYA8K8I is a tower unit. Weight is 202 kg (approximately 445 lb). Physical dimensions (H × W × D) are not stated in the provided specifications. The unit is black in color.
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is specified as a flexible rack/tower form factor (6U rack height is implied by the 'RT6U' model designation). Dimensions are 10.2 in H × 16.9 in W × 25.6 in D, and weight is 224.8 lb (approximately 102 kg).
Operating temperature for both units is 0–40 °C (32–104 °F). The SYA8K8I adds storage temperature data (−15 to 45 °C) and operating altitude up to 3,000 m, neither of which is stated in the Vertiv specifications. Humidity tolerance for the SYA8K8I is 0–95% (operating and storage); no humidity figure is provided for the GXT5. The SYA8K8I is considerably heavier at ~202 kg versus ~102 kg for the GXT5, which also offers rack-mount flexibility the tower-only SYA8K8I does not.
Which UPS offers better management, monitoring, and integration options?
The APC SYA8K8I includes one Smart-Slot interface with the AP9619 card pre-installed, plus a DB-9 RS-232 serial port. Smart-Slot accepts optional APC network management cards for SNMP and web-based monitoring. Emergency Power Off (EPO) is explicitly listed as supported. Replacement battery is the SYBT5 cartridge.
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN ships with a factory pre-installed Vertiv RDU101 SNMP/web card, providing out-of-box network management without an additional card purchase. Additional interfaces include USB, RS-485, RS-232, a terminal block, and an external battery connector. SNMP and web management are enabled by default. The unit also features a full-color graphic LCD control panel with gravity-sensing orientation for both rack and tower use.
The GXT5 provides a richer out-of-box connectivity stack: SNMP/web, USB, RS-485, RS-232, and terminal block versus the SYA8K8I's RS-232 and one Smart-Slot (network card requires separate purchase or the included AP9619 card — the AP9619 is a relay I/O card, not a network management card). EPO is confirmed for the SYA8K8I; EPO support is not stated in the Vertiv specifications. Certifications for the GXT5 include ENERGY STAR 2.0, UL1778, c-UL, RoHS2, and REACH; no equivalent listing data is provided for the SYA8K8I.
Which should you choose: the SYA8K8I or the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
Our take: The GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is the stronger choice when maximizing real-power delivery, out-of-box network management, and installation flexibility matter most. Three concrete spec deltas drive this: first, the Vertiv delivers 8,000 W of real power versus 5,600 W for the SYA8K8I — a 43% advantage at the same 8 kVA rating, critical for watt-dense modern server loads; second, the GXT5 ships with a factory-installed RDU101 SNMP/web card covering USB, RS-485, RS-232, and terminal block, while the SYA8K8I requires a separate Smart-Slot card purchase for equivalent network visibility; third, the GXT5's rack/tower flexibility and roughly half the weight (~102 kg vs ~202 kg) simplify data-center deployment. The SYA8K8I remains relevant in 220–415 V international environments, high-altitude installations (rated to 3,000 m), and sites already standardized on APC Smart-Slot ecosystem and EPO wiring — specifications not confirmed for the Vertiv unit.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | APC by Schneider Electric SYA8K8I | Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN |
|---|---|---|
| VA Rating | 8,000 VA | 8,000 VA |
| Real Power (Watts) | 5,600 W | 8,000 W |
| Power Factor | 0.70 | 1.00 |
| Topology | Not stated in specs | On-line double conversion |
| Form Factor | Tower | Rack/Tower (flexible) |
| Input Voltage | 220/230/240 V or 380/400/415 V | 208 VAC typical (176–280 VAC range) |
| Output Voltage | 220/230/240 V or 380/400/415 V | 208/120 VAC (user-configurable) |
| Output Connection | Hard Wire 3-wire (H N + G) | Hardwired in/out; optional PODs |
| Efficiency | — | Up to 98% ECO / 95% on-line |
| Weight | 202 kg (~445 lb) | 224.8 lb (~102 kg) |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | — | 10.2 × 16.9 × 25.6 in |
| Operating Temperature | 0–40 °C | 0–40 °C (32–104 °F) |
| Operating Humidity | 0–95% | — |
| Operating Altitude | 0–3,000 m | — |
| Management Interfaces | DB-9 RS-232, Smart-Slot (AP9619 pre-installed) | RDU101 SNMP/Webcard (factory), USB, RS-485, RS-232, terminal block |
| EPO Support | Yes | — |
| Certifications | — | ENERGY STAR 2.0, UL1778, c-UL, RoHS2, REACH |
| Replacement Battery | SYBT5 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the SYA8K8I or the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
The GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is the stronger choice when maximizing real-power delivery, out-of-box network management, and installation flexibility matter most. Three concrete spec deltas drive this: first, the Vertiv delivers 8,000 W of real power versus 5,600 W for the SYA8K8I — a 43% advantage at the same 8 kVA rating, critical for watt-dense modern server loads; second, the GXT5 ships with a factory-installed RDU101 SNMP/web card covering USB, RS-485, RS-232, and terminal block, while the SYA8K8I requires a separate Smart-Slot card purchase for equivalent network visibility; third, the GXT5's rack/tower flexibility and roughly half the weight (~102 kg vs ~202 kg) simplify data-center deployment. The SYA8K8I remains relevant in 220–415 V international environments, high-altitude installations (rated to 3,000 m), and sites already standardized on APC Smart-Slot ecosystem and EPO wiring — specifications not confirmed for the Vertiv unit.
Which UPS can support heavier real server loads — the SYA8K8I or the GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN?
The GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN supports up to 8,000 W of real power at its full 8,000 VA rating (unity power factor). The SYA8K8I is rated at 5,600 W at 8 kVA (0.70 power factor). For watt-rated loads above 5,600 W, only the Vertiv unit can cover the full load at this VA class.
Do I need to buy an additional network management card for either unit?
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN ships with a factory pre-installed RDU101 SNMP/web card, so SNMP and web monitoring are available out of the box. The APC SYA8K8I includes the AP9619 SmartSlot card (a relay I/O card) and one Smart-Slot expansion slot; a separate APC network management card would need to be purchased and installed for SNMP/web-based remote monitoring.
Can either UPS be rack-mounted in a standard data-center rack?
The Vertiv GXT5-8000MVRT6UXLN is specified as a flexible rack/tower form factor ('RT6U' in the model name indicates 6U rack mounting). The APC SYA8K8I is specified as a tower unit; no rack-mount capability is stated in the provided specifications.
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