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I am looking to purchase a new research and trading machine. I plan on using MultiCharts on this computer, as well as some other programs. I'm hoping someone in this group can give me some insight into whether I'm headed in the right direction.
One of my goals is to consolidate all of my programs and research onto one machine (in the office) which I will then control remotely from home using GoToMyPC.com, as opposed to having multiple research machines and having to shuttle code between them all. Therefore, this machine should:
1) Be able to run fast and stable;
2) Be able to run several data-and-processor-intensive programs concurrently;
3) Be able to function with 3 monitors.
I have been spec'ing out computers from Dell and HP, but I'm not 100% clear on what are the most important parts of the machine. Is it reasonable to use a machine that is built for the "home office" or does it make economic sense to spend a lot more to get a "workstation" (most of the workstations I see are for video producing and graphic work).
Here is one computer I customized at HP:
HP Pavilion HPE H8Z
- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium [64 bit]
- AMD Phenom II X6 1100T six-core processor [3.3 GHz, 3MB L2 + 6MB L3 Shared]
- 12GB DDR3-133Mhz SDRAM [3 Dimms]
- 1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6450 video card
- 1TB 7200 rpm SATA 3gb/s hard rive
I believe I'd have to get another video card to handle the third monitor (which is no big deal).
For those of you who are more computer savvy than me, are there any red flags on this system? Am I gonna regret buying this?
Thanks for any suggestions you may have!
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It really doesn't take much of a computer for most retail traders to view charting software, and enter/exit trades. However, new is always nice, and the speed of today's processors are incredible. Here's a link you may wish to review while you're deciding on your build. PassMark Intel vs AMD CPU Benchmarks - High End
"I believe I'd have to get another video card to handle the third monitor (which is no big deal)."
This could be a very big deal, if you buy a computer "off the shelf" or made to order. You MUST VERIFY that the computer has a sufficient amount of physical PCIe slots to install the type of video card/cards you intend to use. Personally, I use the Nvidia NVS 295 Quadro NVS 295
each card will run 2 monitors, very low power draw, they're passively cooled (quiet), and I've bought several on Ebay for < 20 bucks. I like the dual monitor cards, just in case 1 fails, I still have other screens working. BTW, I never had a NVS 295 fail , knock on wood.
I could talk about computers all day. If you want read/write SPEED on the hard drive get the SATA III 6g (and check the RPM speed) and the cache. IMO, if I was building a AMD X6 or i7 ????(k) I'd get a SSD. The OCZ is the current hands down champ OCZ Vertex 3 SATA III 2.5" SSD - OCZ for a system drive and then install a big HDD for data storage.
I support Cashish's advice re the video card. I'm using an ATI FireMV which offers two DisplayPort connectors for two monitors up to a resolution of 2560x1600. Your MB should allow to insert two of these cards.
One thing I'm missing in your configuration is a backup plan . I recommend at least two external hard drives with eSata connectors. Of course, the MB should offer an eSata connector too.
Or use a RAID5 and at least one external HD.
If you depend on trading I recommend to buy an equivalent support package from your dealer. Or have a second PC ready.
Last year my trading machine died. I had to send it back to the dealer and they kept telling me: The repair will take 10 days. It took almost 5 weeks.
You need machines that are secure. Couldn't you get 3 iMacs hooked to Comcast with Bootcamp with Windows and Apple iOS. At home you could GOTOMYPC.com on each of them. You would have 3 27 inch hi Res monitors. Let the Geek Squad set these up at Best Buy. I would go the expensive way - 6 grand. If you are that serious, spend, spend, spend. These towers go obsolete so fast it ain't funny. You get a floppy drive extra for 100 dollars. To me it's perfect security, perfect trading. For mobile, use MacBook with Bootcamp. Have the Geek Squad set up. Then you hook it to your smart phone, you can trade anywhere. What you lack if you buy a tower from Costco, HP, Inovio is expert support and possible anti-viruses that aren't any good and you need security, security, security!! Your wife can use the facetime to talk to her relatives elsewhere.