I am ready to build a trading station. who knows what the real needs are other than multiple monitors. Can i upgrade a PC myself rather than spend the 3 to 5 k the experts want. any advice would be appreciated.
thanks
Jon
one monitor is good enough,preferably 22+ inches and a $500 computer from TigerDirect is all you need, no need to go overboard just for trading
I thought i would get more help than one opinion.
I am still looking for some one who knows the parameters of a good trading computer. What is the best, fastest configuration to run the the nastiest chart package out there. What if i choose to have more than one monitor(which i do). what do i need in the computer to do it well. usb external vga? dual ported vga card or cards? These are some of the questions i still seek the answers too.
Thanks for your help in advance
Good and Profitable days
Jonny Mach
If you need more than an off the shelf laptop then you may want to take another look at what you are doing. Have you ever seen pictures of the trading setups of the large funds? Even with all of that state-of-the-art equipment, most of those funds can’t beat the index. Doesn’t that tell you something?
Thats 2 emotional opinions that have not remotely answered any of my questions. Obviously there are not a lot of techy people on this forum.
or at least not reading my post. i am a successful trader off the shelf and am just needing to update so i would like to know what paramaters get used when trading. so i can buy the proper computer resonably. i monitor 4 main charts and a trading platform i want another lap top and 2 more monitors.
seems reasonable to me
Jon Mach
To answer you question, yes you can upgrade a PC yourself. If you upgrade memory make sure all the memory is alike. Installing dual or quad cards is simple - follow the instructions and don’t be afraid to call tech support. Take the money you save and buy the most comfortable chair available. Your back will appreciate it.
[B]Your question has been answered, but you don’t seem to like the answer.[/B]
You don’t need a gaming computer to trade forex.
You don’t even NEED multiple monitors, as one poster has already mentioned.
[B]Any mid-range HP or Dell desktop computer on the market today will be more than enough for trading forex.
If you know how to tweak one of those HP or Dell computers to run 4 monitors or 6 monitors (or whatever blows your skirt up), then you have all the info you need.[/B]
Apparently, you would like to build a Super Whiz-Bang to impress your friends, and you’re looking for justification to do so.
Gaming might justify what you want to do. Forex trading doesn’t.
Putting together a computer isn’t hard. You can get really cheap parts at PRICEWATCH :: Price Comparison Shopping Tool - Find the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on computers, parts, electronics, clothing and more
Like the other guy said tigerdirect.com is good too.
Seriously if you spend 3-5 K for a computer with how cheap part are now a days you are an idiot.
3-5 K should be for a brand new, you don’t have to do anything to it kick ass computer (which would include all of the periphreals). No way an upgrade should cost 3-5k. It should cost parts + labor. Parts are cheap, labor around here is anywhere between 50-100 dollars an hour. It shouldn’t take them anymore than 3 hours tops to upgrade a computer.
If you are handy though rebuilding your own computer isn’t hard. It’s just a bit of a hassle.
When I build a new computer I go alienware.com and write down all the components they are putting together. That way I know they work together. I’ll scavenge what I can from my old computer.
Installing the windows OS is pretty simple, then it will walk you through installing the periphreals that are attached. If you do this, just start with the monitor and keyboard attached. When thats working, reboot and attach the speakers and whatever else.
Keep in mind if you are rebuilding and that involves replacing the mother board, you’ll have to reformat the hardrive. So, all data will be washed away before the fresh os install.
You can also buy cheap pre build computers at pricewatch, that have room for upgrades.
Just about all video cards will support at least 2 monitors. That is really all you probably need.
Pheonix Thank you for your efforts and the information. I have just been doing my homework on the whole subject and seem to upset a few masterbaiting senior members hell bent on educating me that i dont need 2 monitors to trade forex. geezzz I just want to understand what works the hardest on the computer when running a lot of charts if the proccessor speeds mater all that much from 1.6 to 2.66 ghz. is memory that big of a deal. all the proccessor choices must be for different applications. i want the one best for me and trading. i am going to have a couple monitors, couple big whiz bang ones to impress my friends! would like to know what the best way to do that is. external usb, or what.
I am getting educated as i go and should have a set up to last me a couple
years for less than 1200 bucks with four 24" monitors even though clint wont be impressed i think my friends will be. all kidding aside sorry if my quest for computer knowledge has upset anyone. i quit smoking a couple weeks ago and may be a lil on edge. i truely do appriciate everyone on this site.
babypips.com has been a big part of my trading life. Trading pays for my life now so I guess i wanted to know a lil more about what true needs the computer has to have to function the best .
yours in success
jonmach
Charts don’t take up much processor power at all, and neither does two monitors. I run two moniters bouth about 17-19 inch I think. Two monitors helps, as I watch about ten pairs.
I have them spaced over both monitors, and if a pair catches my eye I resize it.
I don’t know what kind of computer you have now, but any computer than can run an recent PC graphics heavy game will be way more than adaquate. Charts don’t really put a dent in computer performance IME. I’m running a computer with a 3 gig intel 4 processor and a nvida 6800 agp card and both of those are old news. For instance I often run, “Left for dead 1 and now 2” while my charts are running minimized while I wait for some price point to hit.
Really your main concern should be a really good surge protector. Maybe even a battery source if the power goes out and a backup internet connection. Its sucks to be in a trade and your internet goes down or the power goes out. Hasn’t really happened often to me, but it sucks.
Really your main concern should be a really good surge protector. Maybe even a battery source if the power goes out and a backup internet connection. Its sucks to be in a trade and your internet goes down or the power goes out. Hasn’t really happened often to me, but it sucks.
This is true
And a nice chair!! I think that was mentioned:D.
Ah yes, forgot about a chair. I’ve gone through quite a few back and leg aches because of crappy chairs. You don’t realize what you are doing to yourself until it’s too late and you try and stand up.
I got the Internet connection handled with verizon card. 55.00 a mnth but thats cheap just for the peace of mind and i can travel and not worry about a hookup if i need it plus my trade desk on speed dial. working on laptop so batt is auto if i loose power. i was going to build a desktop but i think i can do what i want with a decently configured laptop as i like to stay mobile. now that all that crap is out of the way. THE CHAIR , This may be more important than any of it. i rolled around in a few in staples the other day. chair may cost more than the damn computer.
pheonix thank you again that is the kind of info i was looking for.
Jon mach
Hey Jon.
I second Pheonix. He pretty much has it on the dot. I work in IT and have a machine capable of playing most of the new games coming out.
NB: Left for Dead 2 is a good game eh Pheonix. COD 6 is worth a looksie also.
Sorry back to topic.
Most of the machines out there will not have a problem running the charts.
I Use 1 22" but would like another one not only for trading.
Me personally think that the most important issue will be the internet connection.
This IMHO this needs to be reliable and fast. On saying fast most ADSL connections will suffice. I have ADSL 2+ but came from a ADSL connection.
U will be fine.
Evad
Jon
I know just what your are asking …been there.
You can buy a 27 inch Dynex TV from best buy for $250.00 ( I have 2) a box that will run 2 monitors (ebay $199.00) hook it to a $500.00 system from Best Buy. Don’t use it for anything but trading and your set for a total of $1200.00 …Happy trading
Hi all - one addition I would make is you might want to consider a very quiet PC (or a laptop - usually more quiet) as you might want to leave it on all the time. I know I do, and my PC sounds like a hoover. I’m currently looking at a tranquil pc although I’m not yet sure if they can run two monitors at the same time.
On the ADSL risk side, I have only been ‘trading’ (I use quotes because I’m so rubbish at it) for the past three months and have already lost a trade due to my ADSL going down mid-trade. I got a 3G modem to get round this and then I discovered VPS - now my MT4 (at least my bot one) runs on a VPS and can safely lose money 24/7.
I think it depends on your trading strategy. If you are keeping eye on many currency pairs at the time you´ll probably need 2 monitors. I have 2 monitors and I’m a intraday trader, I usually keep my news and signal tool on a separate monitor, but does is because my news tool ACM´s fx insider gives signals every second and I rather have them all in display. But when I have a long term trade (not very often) my Iphone platform is enough