My question is in the last paragraph.
For many months, I've been using a cheap voltage regulator made by APC.
It looks junkie inside, I accidentally cracked one of the apparently cheap brittle LEDs (I've handled/abused hundreds of optoelectronics devices without breaking).
The good news is that my computer no longer spontaneously restarts. I hear the regulator clicking every once in awhile, sometimes several times a day, sometimes not at all. Lately the top LED (overvoltage I guess) has been on for hours at a time. Currently it indicates normal. Of course it's not a UPC, but it doesn't require a battery either.
I understand that the regulator pulls more current when the house outlet voltage is low, but I doubt my computer equipment would strain anything. I'm looking at this regulator, that makes smaller adjustments providing for more voltage levels.
Assuming my house electricity supply sucks and fixing it is not an option. Is the regulator protecting my computer (homebuilt, much time/money invested) and could a better regulator significantly increase the protection? Or does the junky regulator I already have really only protect my power supply? Then again, I've heard that power supply failure can cause significant other problems.
Thank you.