Video Card Recommendations?

[Soultrader]

Ok Im not that techie myself. But I asked some few tech guys earlier and they told me that their is two types of memory. DDR and DDR2. Apparently DDR2 is a newer version and is faster. 128mb is the storage room for your video card. If this is too low, the video card forces your CPU to run (no idea how or what this means) and apparently slows down your PC. The bit rate is how fast information is processed. So lower the bit the slower data is processed. I was told a 128mb with 252 bit is superior than a 256mb with 126bit.

Im more concerned about how fast data can be processed because right now I use a 128mb with 64bit and it is creating some lag on tape at times. I want this running smoothly especially when I record it.

Are you familiar with paltalk? There is a room called "PC Tech" which is a free PC help room. Its quite amazing and its free. I use it from time to time for some tech related stuff.

[wsam29]

I see, I was about to say 256 bit is more for watching stuff or games because we only need so much speed but you are also recording.

well we all have our own reasons to get this and that, but keep us informed.

You said you currently use a 64 bit card and the tape action is "choppy"?

here's my arguement, there will always be some lag from what you see, execute and get filled. Unless you get a direct connection to the exchanges server and have a broker that has some connection as well, there will be a lag.

heck, have you ever traded anything with a pit involved? getting a reported fill under 1 minute was considered fast, namely SP500. fast market, you're looking upwards of 10-20 minutes and you have to bug the broker to get your fill.

Oh I remember those days.

[Soultrader]

Im the ignorant new generation trader who know nothing but direct access trading The tape freezes for a few seconds at times when the market becomes extremely fast. Which freezes my workspace. I use a seperate workspace for my matrix so it doesnt affect this. I think its mainly because of my recording tools and chart snapshots. I decided to upgrade to 3gigs ram and just purchased the new video card so I should be good to go. I still need a PCI card.. unfortunately the ATI Ratheon 1800 PRO does not have a PCI version so I will need to find another card for my PC.

[wsam29]

hehe, forgiven.

have you thought about using dual channel ram, only thing is your motherboard must be able to support it, other wise you putting in premium fuel in a 4 cyclinder econo car.

what you have here is a "bottleneck" affect. The tough part is figuring out which component is causing the back log. there are programs out there for diagnostic.

I had to stop and think for a moment when I was sending an email to brother-in-law who has a friend that works at ATI. It just might be your ram since video editing is almost like a game, you want that dual channel ram to work for you. just a thought.

I think one is called cpu-z, but I figure that techy site would have more knowledgable people then us traders. :p

[Soultrader]

I highly doubt it if its new. My motherboard is an 3 year old ASUS (or ASUCKS). I do not even have a PCI express slot. I heard the ATI All In One Wonder 2006 or Geforce 7600GS is a good choice for video cards. Both of them are a AGP version.

[wsam29]

PCIe is the new replacement for APG so you won't see any new AGP cards.

What are the benefits, I have no clue.

I happen to like Asus. :p Any idea which motherboard you have? you can check Asus site for product info to see if it will support dual channel, but if I can recall, dual channel only came out these past couple of years, still new technology.

Sounds like you need a complete upgrade.

If you've never built a computer from scratch before, its not that hard, just remember to ground yourself and make sure no static electricity transmit to your components. I think I fried a motherboard like that ignorantly.

[Soultrader]

Oh man.. now I have to reveal my motherboard! lol I run a ASUS P4S800-MX. Extremely old... but it wasnt that bad 3 years ago. But suprisingly I still have a Pentium 3.4ghz.

[wsam29]

Sorting out differences in video cards

found it online from google search.

yeah, there is lots to putting together a computer system for your specific task. I mean, what you are doing, an off the shelf, upgrade some parts will not do, in my opinion, but for best performance, it is best to just build a system to meet your requirements.

I am doing alot more research this time round for my trading computer system, do it once and thats it for another 10 years or so.

[wsam29]

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

your board does support dual channel, but not DDR2.

I use something similar, its a p4p800 something.

[Soultrader]

Okay cool.. because I wasnt aware of the DDR2 specifications. Luckily the video card I bought is a DDR. What are dual channels?