Basic Specs for a Trading PC?

[Octavian 10]

What do you think a Desktop computer needs for trading online?

 

 

 

 

im under the impression that top-of-the-range isnt needed, as running trading/charting software is surely way less taxing than running a recent pc game online, for example World of Warcraft.

 

Ninjatrader and Tradestation's sites have both said 2GB RAM minimum, so im thinking 8 GB to be safe.

 

ive also heard that the video card is probably the most vital in keeping lag down, so 32bit? also coupled with 6 mb broadband

 

seems like a 400 - 500 dollar PC would do.

[khamore1 10]

Computers

 

click on the link

[MightyMouse 12]

It really is going to depend on the type of trading you are going to do and the number of markets you are going to trade.

 

If you're new, then you'll probably get away with your current laptop or desk top computer. Multiple screens and a lot of power aren't going to give you an edge starting out.

 

For 2 bucks, get a can of compressed air and clean out your computer. It will run like a new one.

[Obsidian 10]

Having 2*monitors would be a great choice, besides you don't need a special graphic card for that.

[TheNegotiator 13]

What do you think a Desktop computer needs for trading online?

 

 

 

 

im under the impression that top-of-the-range isnt needed, as running trading/charting software is surely way less taxing than running a recent pc game online, for example World of Warcraft.

 

Ninjatrader and Tradestation's sites have both said 2GB RAM minimum, so im thinking 8 GB to be safe.

 

ive also heard that the video card is probably the most vital in keeping lag down, so 32bit? also coupled with 6 mb broadband

 

seems like a 400 - 500 dollar PC would do.

 

For trading you don't need a high end video card. Gaming maybe, trading no.

 

What you need is a good and reliable internet connection to start with. Then you need a clean installed operating system that you dont piss about with. Then, if you are using ninja or tradestation, just understand that the more you have open(different product charts, indicators etc) the more taxing it will be- mostly it's not a problem, just when there's a burst of activity. Clearly this is when you need the system to be running smoothly the most. The other important point to recognise is that your router and network card(or chip if it's onboard) are going to have a big part to play in system performance.

 

What pc spec do you have now?

 

A simple suggestion for many people is buy a new hard disk, install a new copy of your OS then run the machine off this HDD for trading only and then you can leave your other stuff untouched.

[Octavian 10]

i currently have a low spec macbook which is pretty much useless for software as nothing except TOS is compatible , and TOS doesnt let users in the UK sign up for some reason.

 

 

i want to buy a newish desktop that will last a good amount of time and i can use solely for trading . i can use my mac for all other things and will use it for news whilst using desktop for trading.

 

my plan is to swing and day trade, using Ninjatrader to demo for a months to get the feel.

 

 

How much RAM do you guys have? and what spec network card?

 

cheers for feedback so far

[TheNegotiator 13]

It really all depends what you want tbh. But if you want something which will last you a little while there are several options.

 

Have a look at systems with sandybridge intel i5 2500k/i7 2600k -imho they are blindingly good value cpus compared to last gen i5/i7(overall). Caveat is that there will be some new ivy bridge cpus released by intel in april. Memory is cheap right now. If the system is expensive to upgrade memory, downgrade it ditch it and buy 8/16gb of ddr3 1600(really all you need) and install it yourself- 8gb is like £35 in UK right now. Graphics is not so much of a problem- just make sure the spec has at least two monitor output capability(which in 99.9% it will). Hdd are a little pricey right now due to a shortage because of the thai floods(still). SSDs are not all equal and a pc manufacturer will rip you off for a crappy one. My advice is comprimise and get a better one later. Network you should be fine so long as the motherboard is either p67 or z68 however I'm not totally sure you'd get that. If it is fine-intel spec has a better intel network chip(imo). If not, see how you go with the onboard realtek(most board manufacturers use them). Apart from that take a look at Speedguide.net for optimising your connection.

 

It's a lot to take in I know, but don't panic! Share you ideas/progress on your search and I'm sure people will help!

[Octavian 10]

wow thanks for the info

 

 

ive found this....

 

ACER Aspire PT.SGKE2.159 Desktop Computer - Intel Core i7 i7-2600 3.40 GHz from Hardware Saints - the best prices on the web

 

seems to have a real good processor for the money , 4GB DDR3 RAM that i can upgrade as well and 1TB hard drive

 

i think this could be the one

[Obsidian 10]

When you compare prices, check the mainboard (asus and gigabyte preferred)...and check if gfx card is on-board or separate

 

Custom Build Gaming PC, Desktop PC, Custom Computers, Gaming Laptops looks like a good website

[TheNegotiator 13]

When you compare prices, check the mainboard (asus and gigabyte preferred)...and check if gfx card is on-board or separate

 

Custom Build Gaming PC, Desktop PC, Custom Computers, Gaming Laptops looks like a good website

 

I've heard of them before but no experience as such. Just make sure you read reviews from somewhere you trust before you spend your money.

[bathrobe 10]

I just built an i5 2500 system for around 500$. I am not doing overclocking so the k does not matter for me. Trading is no where near as intensive as gaming so any chip with four cores would work

[TheNegotiator 13]

Good point bathrobe. However, if you were going down the road of a self build(and I would remark if you have never done it before and don't have a good backup pc, it could be very frustrating and time consuming), the difference in price here in the UK between retail 2500&2500K chips is about £10 and you can actually get an OEM 2500K(1yr warranty as opposed to 3yr and no stock cooler) chip ever so slightly cheaper than a retail 2500. Basically though, the chips are exactly the same, but because the manufacturing process isn't 100% consistent, Intel(and many other chip manufacturers) grade the resulting chips. Many are disgarded completely. Others in this example become 2500 or 2500K or 2500T etc depending on their ability to handle voltage (and temperature). Thus, a 2500K is at stock speeds more likely to be reliable and have a better lifetime. Imho, £10 extra is therefore worthwhile.

 

Either way, Intel will likely be reducing prices of sandybridge chips between April and say July time anyway to account for possible lower demand due to the new 22nm Ivybridge processors being released. If I were looking to do a new budget self build, I'd hold off for a bit if I could.

 

Edit: I forgot to say that actually the onchip graphics core is a slightly higher spec in the 2500k aswell, although this still doesn't mean that it is particularly powerful!!

[Marubozu 10]

i5 Processor 3.3 GHz

6GB RAM

1TB Hard Drive

2 HEAD 1GB ATI Radeon Graphics Card

2 x 24″ Full HD Monitors

Windows 7 Professional

[TheNegotiator 13]

Wow. Sorry Marubozu, but even with 2x24" monitors that is very pricey for an i5 pc.

[TheNegotiator 13]

by my reckoning, those parts(educated guess at specifics) sell retail at about £1175. So they are making at least £600. Seems expensive. A very similarly speced dell will set you back £528.99 inc vat/shipping. Plus your 2x24" and you have a whopping total of let's call it £850. Despite not being "highly configured" for trading, I know which I'd choose.

 

Edit: sorry I didn't point out that the system in question according to the TiG website costs £1750.

[Perrin 10]

I got my PC from pcspecialist.co.uk. I didn't have any problems. You can select the various parts that you want to have in your pc (e.g. how much ram, hard disk, etc) and they build it for you. The only down side might be if you don't know much about computers or computer parts. I had to do some googling to find out what some things were. I ended up spending more than I initially planned because you look at the options (eg 4gb, 8gb, 12gb) and, in my case at least, I ended up picking the larger / faster / better / cooler looking parts

 

I agree with comments from TheNegotiator and bathrobe that trading does not require an expensive gaming pc. It's nice to have a gaming pc for gaming But if you want a trading pc, it does not have to be top of the range.

 

I would agree that two monitors is useful, but in no way essential. For a long time I did not have two monitors. Now, with two, I have one monitor with (for example) the weekly chart on, and the second monitor with the daily chart. That's what I do when I am going through my list of possible trading stocks. It's a time saver more than anything, so I don't have to switch from the weekly to daily chart - as they are both there in front of me. The other useful thing is I can play poker on one screen while typing this (or reading Traders Laboratory) on the other screen It just gives you more room to do things on.

[Obsidian 10]

for those who can't decide which cpu to choose

PassMark - CPU Benchmarks - List of Benchmarked CPUs