NexusFi: Find Your Edge


Home Menu

 





custom trade computer


Discussion in Tech Support

Updated
      Top Posters
    1. looks_one GaryD with 158 posts (89 thanks)
    2. looks_two kickmic with 75 posts (84 thanks)
    3. looks_3 kronie with 33 posts (26 thanks)
    4. looks_4 sandptrader with 18 posts (3 thanks)
      Best Posters
    1. looks_one Big Mike with 2.1 thanks per post
    2. looks_two kickmic with 1.1 thanks per post
    3. looks_3 kronie with 0.8 thanks per post
    4. looks_4 GaryD with 0.6 thanks per post
    1. trending_up 86,147 views
    2. thumb_up 396 thanks given
    3. group 41 followers
    1. forum 444 posts
    2. attach_file 87 attachments




 
Search this Thread

custom trade computer

  #11 (permalink)
 
GaryD's Avatar
 GaryD 
Orlando, Florida
 
Experience: None
Platform: shoes
Trading: happy
Posts: 6,462 since May 2011


Fat Tails View Post

CPU

CPU - Power is the most important consideration for a trading PC. The Intel i5-4440 has an integrated GPU which is not needed, if you add a graphics adapter. For a few bucks more you would get an Intel Xeon E3-1230 v3 3.3 GHz. Its CPU mark is 9.551 compared to a CPU mark 6.471 for the i5-4440. In particular the Xeon processor uses hyper-threading, which doubles the number of threads that the CPU can process simultaneously. Also the Xeon processor has a slightly better energy efficiency.

I went to this website to compare processors (great compare feature) before I decided on the i5. The 4440 is just based on current price, which changes daily.

ARK | Your Source for Intel® Product Information

I read a thread on the Sierra Chart support board that suggested turning hyperthreading off for some data issue ( although when I asked about it SC did not confirm there was any problem) so i5 saved me $50-100. but I do understand the concept of hyperthreading and did not get any answers as to why I would not want it.

The Xeon processors are recommended for "servers", but I am assuming that also is an improvement in reliability. But i7 has some features for home comfprt that do not come on Xeon.

Do you have any further thoughts on that topic? The computer may eventually become an all-around computer, so I might prefer i7 to Xeon. But for today, I am mostly interested in a trade-specific setup that has the ability to be modified for several years. My current trade-specific box is a 2005 (all other uses happen on another box), and Sony still has zero issues, so I am hoping to get some mileage out of whatever gets built.




Fat Tails View Post
Otherwise I like your configuration. The Samsung EVO series is a good choice, I also use it and I am happy with it. However, I would go for a model with at least 256 GByte.

I was thinking that, with 120 being pure budget and not very convenient. but I could add drives as needed. The one I listed was just to make it run, and all docs were to get pushed onto another computer where I have a lot of spare capacity, without paying for still somewhat pricey SSD.


Thanks

Started this thread Reply With Quote

Can you help answer these questions
from other members on NexusFi?
ZombieSqueeze
Platforms and Indicators
My NT8 Volume Profile Split by Asian/Euro/Open
NinjaTrader
Deepmoney LLM
Elite Quantitative GenAI/LLM
Futures True Range Report
The Elite Circle
Better Renko Gaps
The Elite Circle
 
Best Threads (Most Thanked)
in the last 7 days on NexusFi
Get funded firms 2023/2024 - Any recommendations or word …
61 thanks
Funded Trader platforms
39 thanks
NexusFi site changelog and issues/problem reporting
26 thanks
GFIs1 1 DAX trade per day journal
18 thanks
The Program
18 thanks
  #12 (permalink)
 
GaryD's Avatar
 GaryD 
Orlando, Florida
 
Experience: None
Platform: shoes
Trading: happy
Posts: 6,462 since May 2011


kickmic View Post
Most of the Kinston RAM is 1.65V and 1150 (and Ivy and Sandy Bridge) specify 1.5V... no idea why Kingston do this, but I would go with some G Skill ...also, the new "sweet spot" for memory is 1866

I saw that 1600 was "max" in a lot of specs. I don't understand it enough to know why you could use 1866?


kickmic View Post
any reason you are getting an overclocking capable mobo when using a non overclocking CPU? You might want to consider a non-OC board or CPU that can be OC'd

Because I don't know any better" I did not realize the board could be, but I knew the processor could not. I do not think (based on what I have read) that I am interested in OC. Should I be?



kickmic View Post
Thermaltake cases are poor quality cases. You could do much better with a Corsair or Fractal Design


What is the difference that makes a better case? I just went for size and price, with a lot of venting.



kickmic View Post
Home version only allows you to run a max of 16GB - pro goes up to 32GB

I missed that detail. That would have sucked in the future if I found out when I was ready to upgrade. Thanks for the save.

Started this thread Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)
 
kickmic's Avatar
 kickmic 
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
 
Experience: Advanced
Platform: NinjaTrader + Gomicators
Broker: InteractiveBrokers, CQG
Trading: 6A
Posts: 281 since May 2011
Thanks Given: 57
Thanks Received: 343



GaryD View Post
The Xeon processors are recommended for "servers", but I am assuming that also is an improvement in reliability. But i7 has some features for home comfprt that do not come on Xeon.

Do you have any further thoughts on that topic? The computer may eventually become an all-around computer.

I use a Xeon, and its typically recommended as a cheaper alternative to i7 if you choose a model without onboard GPU - But honestly, nothing charting wise or any other uses you mentioned will make use of hyper threading, therefore the i5 is fine.



GaryD View Post
120 being pure budget and not very convenient. but I could add drives as needed.

Thanks

I use a 120 for W7 pro 64bit OS, Office, Camtasia plus a host of other programs - still has oodles of room on it. You only need bigger if wanting to run all your personal folders OR if using some hard core Adobe etc video editing program


GaryD View Post
I saw that 1600 was "max" in a lot of specs. I don't understand it enough to know why you could use 1866?

Z series boards will go higher than 1600, as per their specs. Non OC boards typically max at 1600
1866 rec'd based on bang for buck performance - see link if you want a little overview as to why AnandTech | Memory [AUTOLINK]Scaling[/AUTOLINK] on Haswell CPU, IGP and dGPU: DDR3-1333 to DDR3-3000 Tested with G.Skill



GaryD View Post
I did not realize the board could be, but I knew the processor could not. I do not think (based on what I have read) that I am interested in OC. Should I be?

K series CPU's have much better resale value. OC'ing gives you a bit more performance at cost of increased heat. Latest Haswell Chips arent the greatest OC'ers .... up to you, if you want to squeeze some more juice out of the PC down the track when its getting long in the tooth. Personally, couldn't give a rats bum because I value reliability and while OC'ing can be stable, I dont want to introduce something else potentially causing problems.

I use an OC board with a non OCing Xeon CPU. The OC boards are designed to withstand greater heat and overall are just much more rugged in order to deal with the extra strain OCing puts on a system. Many are more featured than non OC boards, so this also can impact your decision.


GaryD View Post
What is the difference that makes a better case? I just went for size and price, with a lot of venting.

build quality. Flimsy side panels, poor acoustics, poor cooling performance. The Corsair cases and Fractal cases are better made and offer superior cooling and noise dampening.

I'll find an example of a reliable PC with good bang for buck. How many monitors will you be running? If they are existing, what inputs do they have?

EDIT: Haswell will run three monitors, and the onboard GPU on the Intel chip is fine for charting - just have to stay within the GPU's max resolution

Follow me on Twitter Reply With Quote
Thanked by:
  #14 (permalink)
 
Fat Tails's Avatar
 Fat Tails 
Berlin, Europe
Market Wizard
 
Experience: Advanced
Platform: NinjaTrader, MultiCharts
Broker: Interactive Brokers
Trading: Keyboard
Posts: 9,888 since Mar 2010
Thanks Given: 4,242
Thanks Received: 27,102

I would also prefer a case from Fractal. By the way I had recently suggested a configuration for a trading PC in the German section of the forum, see below:



That suggestion included a Fractal Define R4 midi tower.

Reply With Quote
Thanked by:
  #15 (permalink)
 
GaryD's Avatar
 GaryD 
Orlando, Florida
 
Experience: None
Platform: shoes
Trading: happy
Posts: 6,462 since May 2011


Fat Tails View Post
I would also prefer a case from Fractal. By the way I had recently suggested a configuration for a trading PC in the German section of the forum, see below:



That suggestion included a Fractal Define R4 midi tower.


My mobo options were limited to 3: Asus, MSI and Gigabyte. (close 2nd was ASRock). I went Asus because of what I read about long term reputation, but see better pricing in the others. Asus and MSI have the lowest failure rates I could find. I see you went Gigabyte. Was that price related for that particular post, or do you consider it an equal?

You also went Xeon, and mentioned hyperthreading in a previous post. I have not found where hyperthreading would be a benefit for trading, but if I really knew I would not be asking. is there a trading related need for it, or are you just preparing the box for maximum useful life?

My memory choices were: Kingston, Crucial and Corsair. Also because of limited knowledge to what I have been reading since around December. Kingston seemed to get the lowest overall failure rate on it's value series (slightly higher failure for fancier ram)

For the case, noise does not bother me. I somewhat like the sound of the computer revving it's engine, so to speak. Does a cheap case hurt operation performance? To me, not being experienced at building a custom computer, the case just seems like a box that everything needs to fit it, and that it needs to have good ventilation? But, I could see where too much perforation in a case could cause less air flow... like opening two windows in a house at opposite ends of wind, versus all windows, the right openings would create higher velocity.

Started this thread Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)
 
GaryD's Avatar
 GaryD 
Orlando, Florida
 
Experience: None
Platform: shoes
Trading: happy
Posts: 6,462 since May 2011


kickmic View Post
I use a 120 for W7 pro 64bit OS, Office, Camtasia plus a host of other programs - still has oodles of room on it. You only need bigger if wanting to run all your personal folders OR if using some hard core Adobe etc video editing program

That is what I was thinking too. Actually, I considered only installing the OS and the trade platform on this one, and hard drives are easy to add as needed. But as prices continue to change, may go larger before build time. Kingston just dropped their 120 SSD to $69, but the reviews I have read lean towards Samsung, Intel or Crucial.

One thing I have learned about separating computer use between two is that the trade-only requires far less maintenance. And, I guess running Camtasia, Photoshop, etc would be fine too. It's the connecting to the rest of the world (email, internet) that seems to cause problems.



kickmic View Post
How many monitors will you be running?

I currently run 3 from my trade computer and one from my everything-else computer.

On the trade box, my left and right monitors run via VGA and DVI (out HDMI in) out of a 2005 dual head video card into two Hanns-G 22" at 1280 x 1024. The center screen is via a Sabrent USB into an Acer 24" at 1920 x 1080. The center screen is far better at footprint, but everything else is fine (for me) at the lower res.

The laptop is running a 42" 1080p TV via HDMI, also at 1920 x 1080, but I can see where higher res and bigger screens might be the way to go as I move forward. But for today's use, the large screen is the one that changes, viewing other markets, higher timeframes, etc., and is not really used for "trading". I actually prefer that it runs a little large because I like that I can see it from almost anywhere in the house.

But I want the new build to be capable of running more (using additional cards), OR, possibly the ability to go 4K on the same number of screens, but larger viewing areas. Less pieces = higher reliability being my thought.

Started this thread Reply With Quote
  #17 (permalink)
 
GaryD's Avatar
 GaryD 
Orlando, Florida
 
Experience: None
Platform: shoes
Trading: happy
Posts: 6,462 since May 2011

@Fat Tails, one other thing between Xeon and i-? is ECC memory support. Does that do anything trade related that you know of?

Started this thread Reply With Quote
  #18 (permalink)
 
Fat Tails's Avatar
 Fat Tails 
Berlin, Europe
Market Wizard
 
Experience: Advanced
Platform: NinjaTrader, MultiCharts
Broker: Interactive Brokers
Trading: Keyboard
Posts: 9,888 since Mar 2010
Thanks Given: 4,242
Thanks Received: 27,102


GaryD View Post
My mobo options were limited to 3: Asus, MSI and Gigabyte. (close 2nd was ASRock). I went Asus because of what I read about long term reputation, but see better pricing in the others. Asus and MSI have the lowest failure rates I could find. I see you went Gigabyte. Was that price related for that particular post, or do you consider it an equal?

I am not an expert on motherboards. The reason for the choice was pricing and recommendations by other users.


GaryD View Post
You also went Xeon, and mentioned hyperthreading in a previous post. I have not found where hyperthreading would be a benefit for trading, but if I really knew I would not be asking. is there a trading related need for it, or are you just preparing the box for maximum useful life?

I like Xeon for several reasons.

-> It has the graphics processing unit deactivated and therefore a lower TDP which makes it more suitable for running 24/7
-> My workstation uses ECC memory, which would not be possible with i5/i7

A quick comparison between the Xeon E3-1230 v3 and the Core i5 4670 K

Clock speed: ....... 3.3 GHz versus 3.4 GHz
Threads: ............. 8 versus 4
L3 cache: ............ 8 MB versus 6 MB
Hyperthreaded: .. yes versus no
GPU: ................... none versus Intel HD 4600
TDP: .................... 80W versus 84W
PassMark - CPU .. 9,556 versus 7,513
Price ................... $ 249 versus $ 229

I would go for the Xeon processor, although the differences are small.


GaryD View Post
My memory choices were: Kingston, Crucial and Corsair. Also because of limited knowledge to what I have been reading since around December. Kingston seemed to get the lowest overall failure rate on it's value series (slightly higher failure for fancier ram)

I have no preference for any of them.


GaryD View Post
For the case, noise does not bother me. I somewhat like the sound of the computer revving it's engine, so to speak. Does a cheap case hurt operation performance? To me, not being experienced at building a custom computer, the case just seems like a box that everything needs to fit it, and that it needs to have good ventilation? But, I could see where too much perforation in a case could cause less air flow... like opening two windows in a house at opposite ends of wind, versus all windows, the right openings would create higher velocity.

My preference is no noise or low noise. I am not fond of listening to a radiator concerto.

If you can't stand the silence, you can always listen to the beautiful master piece "Risveglio di una Citta" (waking up of a city) of the Italian futurist composer Luigi Russolo, see link below .....


Reply With Quote
Thanked by:
  #19 (permalink)
 
GaryD's Avatar
 GaryD 
Orlando, Florida
 
Experience: None
Platform: shoes
Trading: happy
Posts: 6,462 since May 2011

Amazon.com: Crucial M500 240GB mSATA Internal Solid State Drive CT240M500SSD3: Computers & Accessories

Today's drop in SSD. $119.00 for Crucial M500 240GB

Started this thread Reply With Quote
  #20 (permalink)
 
GaryD's Avatar
 GaryD 
Orlando, Florida
 
Experience: None
Platform: shoes
Trading: happy
Posts: 6,462 since May 2011



Fat Tails View Post

If you can't stand the silence, you can always listen to the beautiful master piece "Risveglio di una Citta" (waking up of a city) of the Italian futurist composer Luigi Russolo.


Not really what I want for trading, but this will be a nice addition to my gym workout playlist. Thanks.

Started this thread Reply With Quote




Last Updated on March 28, 2016


© 2024 NexusFi™, s.a., All Rights Reserved.
Av Ricardo J. Alfaro, Century Tower, Panama City, Panama, Ph: +507 833-9432 (Panama and Intl), +1 888-312-3001 (USA and Canada)
All information is for educational use only and is not investment advice. There is a substantial risk of loss in trading commodity futures, stocks, options and foreign exchange products. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
About Us - Contact Us - Site Rules, Acceptable Use, and Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy - Downloads - Top
no new posts