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[User Discussion] - New Trading Computer

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[2013-03-26 23:42:19] #1 [Go To First Post]
moonmist - Posts: 127
Hi, I am going to buy a new computer to trade oil and ES futures. I'll be using Sierra Chart/Interactive Brokers combo. I need to examine four timeframes at the same time. I coded some indicators ( custom studies ) in thinkscript, and have not ported them to Sierra Chart. Hence, Thinkorswim platform need to be run for charting purpose during trading hours. ThinkDestkop is a resource hog, which can consume over 400 MB of RAM. I'll port the indicators to Sierra Chart in few weeks. I come up with the following specifications: 1. Intel second or third generation Core i5 or i7 quad cores with a minimum clock speed of 2.8 GHz 2. Windows 7 64-bit Operating System 3. 16 GB of RAM 4. 512 GB of hard disk 5. ATI or Nvidia graphics card with 1 GB of video memory capable of supporting two monitors ( ATI Radeon HD 5550 graphics card or faster ) 6. DVD drive to read, and write disks 7. ASUS motherboard for above hardware 8. Two 23-inch LCD monitors or larger. Any suggestions or recommendation would be appreciated ! Thanks. Date Time Of Last Edit: 2013-03-26 23:43:46

[2013-03-27 00:00:19] #2 [Go To First Post]
SgtJ - Posts: 154
IMO - 3rd gen i5 or i7, unlocked multiplier - ASrock or Asus mainboard - You can get away w/ 8gb of mem if cost is a factor and put that cash towards an ssd drive or a WD black HD - I like ATI. I don't game, so I buy lower end vid cards, i'd buy one that supports DX 11. - Get a decent power supply, maybe antec earthwatts, there are many to choose from. - Consider an after market cpu cooler as well. Hyper 212+ by cooler master, there are other similar designs.

[2013-03-27 00:21:52] #3 [Go To First Post]
moonmist - Posts: 127
Hi, The owner of a computer store did suggest the same, namely: Buy only 8 GB of memory, and put that cash towards a SSD drive Please excuse my ignorance. Can you explain the benefits of a SSD drive ? I have never bought one before. Thanks. Date Time Of Last Edit: 2013-03-27 00:44:53

[2013-03-27 00:45:22] #4 [Go To First Post]
M5amhan - Posts: 468
i use SSD drive it does something along the lines of run your software on a separate harddrive (the SSD) than the one you store things on so it makes it a lot faster, i can tell a major difference when trading

[2013-03-27 01:15:52] #5 [Go To First Post]
SgtJ - Posts: 154
SSD info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive Intel and samsung seem to be the the best for reliability. Another interesting idea which Kiwi implements is to use a ram drive. In this case I'd go with the 16gb of memory. You can read about his usage on the old support board.

[2013-03-27 01:34:35] #6 [Go To First Post]
M5amhan - Posts: 468
this site is also a very good place to order your stuff, im running something similar to this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2311914&CatId=333 something similar to that should run anything you need to lightning fast, this specific one doesnt include a video card or SDD

[2013-03-27 09:59:03] #7 [Go To First Post]
Outlander - Posts: 91
Hi use the Asus Sabertooth X79 with i7 3820, 24 mb ddr3, 2 ssd, raid 0. Works great. Regards Outlander

[2013-04-17 19:43:56] #8 [Go To First Post]
moonmist - Posts: 127
Hi guys, My new computer's specifications are very similar to the following: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3775643#post3775643 except that I go for the Intel Core i5-3570 processor (3.4 GHz). I am not doing video/audio de/encoding. Hence, hyper-threading may not make a huge difference. I am trading with two 24-inch Samsung LED monitors only, although an Asus Geforce GTX 650 graphics card can support up to four of them. I did spent extra money to buy a good power supply. The new computer is much faster than the old one. Date Time Of Last Edit: 2013-04-17 20:08:20

[2013-04-17 22:15:38] #9 [Go To First Post]
C. Notes - Posts: 129
I run an 8 core Mac with 24 GB ram and 3 graphics cards (for 6 monitors).. Runs like a dream...You must run windows on its own drive in native windows mode... Runs the same if not better than on any "PC" as the hardware is solidly supported by Apple and standardized. Then on the weekend I can switch to mac for all of the fun music and video stuff.. I've used macs for 20+ years.... Today the mac is better than ever..

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