64 bit XP - any advantage?

After trading for several years out of my laptop with 2 monitors, I'm thinking about moving to a desktop with more power to support at least 4 monitors.

I'd appreciate if anyone using Windows XP 64 bit version shares their experience. Specifically, if 64 bit version is better for trading compared to the 32 bit version.

The platforms that I usually use are:
MT4, FXCM's marketscope.

I understand that even if we use 64 bit version, the application needs to be capable of utilizing it. So, before going for the upgrade, wanted to learn from anyone using it actually.

Feel free to post your machine specifications - I could use that when I look for components to build my own system.
Thanks.

No - trading is about you. Not the computer. I have a friend who actively trades futures (daily/weekly) and does not have a PC. Phones it in. Makes BIG coin.

I had used 64bit pc and 32bit ones , cant find much difference... unless a software is designed specifically for 64bit , it wont make a difference
I still use 7yrs old lappie to do my trades btw

denverdude

About 6 months ago I splashed out on a 64bit Vista Business o/s and new gruntmaster pc with quad core processors, a bazillion gig of ram etc etc etc running 4 x 24" monitors.... and now I wonder why.

I also trade from a very small and light Toshiba laptop when I am away from my home office (which can be often) and really, the only difference is screen size - performance with MT4 or TraderWorkstation is more dependant upon your internet connection speed and reliability, followed closely by your broker's hardware/software combo in my view.

For what it's worth I'd be concentrating on getting (in this order) the right broker; the right trading platform; a super fast and reliable internet connection; a chair that takes care of your posture; good graphics cards and great monitor(s).

A 64 bit pc hasn't helped me one bit - most programs (including trading platforms) have to run in 32 bit mode anyway. All I got was compatibility problems with FlashPlayer and numerous other non-core programs.

Put the extra money into the things I suggested above, or into reducing your leverage, and I expect you will prosper more in the long run.

-Zer0

Nice post Zer0

Thanks Mr Green.

I should correct one thing for the sake of complete accuracy - the desktop o/s is Vista Ultimate 64 bit (not Vista Business 64 bit as I incorrectly stated above) - the laptop has Vista Business 32 bit.

And 32bit Windows systems doesnt see more then 4gb of RAM.

TraderZer0,
Thanks for your reply.

Going by your response, I feel I have the first three things taken care of, the chair is ok (any more comfortable, I might doze off as I trade during night/early morning my time).

The last two are the reasons I started leaning towards a desktop. My laptop right now supports only one additional monitor. Just based on processor (its a dual core) and memory (1 MB), its pretty good, but I can't do anything to upgrade its graphics.

I just confirmed with my broker (FXCM) that their platform has not been designed to benefit from 64 bit XP. So, I'd stick with XP 32.

Money $aved is money earned.

Thanks for your inputs.

Hi Denver,

I had the same problem about a year ago. I discovered the x64 did not really help the graphics -I'd stick with 32-bit XP Pro

I invested the money on a faster Intel chip (i think a E7700 at the time), 4GB RAM and a matrox quad card, and that did the job brilliantly.

The Matrox card (off the top of my head was the 4400 or 6600) had HDMI/DVI outputs and I connected four 1920x1200 monitors to it quite easily.

I can still trade off my laptop and an extra monitor, but I can get great charts on my Quad system.

I agree on all the points in above - a good reliable internet connection, but I also have handy (just in case) a 3G mobile USB card

I jsut read someone mentioned a chair.....Make sure you get one with a head rest, and nice arm rests. When you made a good trade you need a place to lean back into and admire you work.

Similarly, when you make a bad trade, you need a good distance from your QUAD monitors to figure out what went wrong

Denverdude

The bloody irony!!!! Or Vista karma?

Last night after I completed the above posts bagging Vista 64-bit I turned off my computer and enabled the Windows update that had been downloaded to install before the pc shutdown. All seemed fine: I'd even had an exceptional day trading and I was at peace with the world.

This morning I turn the pc on only to find the boot sequence cycling from start to shutdown constantly. The bloody thing doesn't even get enough into the boot sequence for me to access the BIOS and therefore I cannot alter the boot order to force it to boot from disc.

The pc and the operating system are now 14 days out of warranty. I'm not going to pay a fortune to freight it more than 1,000km to Sydney only to have the manufacturer charge me an arm and a leg - I'll take the bloody thing down to my local custom computer shop and ask them to repair it.

My new custom-build ultimate beast pc with Vista Ultimate 64-bit has been a complete waste of money - my old Dell Dimension with XP Professional was just as good and much quieter than this glorified desk ornament!

Maybe Microsoft are spying on us all and I was earmarked as subversive and deserving of punishment for bagging their product?

Traderzer0,
Sorry to hear that mate.
Time to say, Hasta la Vista 64 bit babey

How about install XP Pro on that beast when you take it to your local repair guy?

Hope everything works out fine for you.

Get a Mac........ I run a MacBook Pro and with duoCore intel processor.
Also installed VM Ware Virtual machine so I can run XP simultaneously.
Works like a champ....... Fast and stable.

TraderZero, if you have the original software disc or a recovery disk. you should be able to boot from that and then go back to the last known good version of vista. I would delete the last update and then try the download again or skip the update alltogether. most of the auto updates are not needed anyway. I would also turn the automatic updates off and then do the ones you really need manually. I check the site every other month to see if there is something I need.

As for the 64 verse 32 bit, stick with the 32 bit version. the problem with the 64 bit is nobody is writing any software to use it, and most of your current drivers will not work as the manufacturers have been very slow in writing 64 bit drivers.

As for vista verse xp, stick with the xp pro version. It is very stable, no problem adding new equipment and drivers are readily available. Vista has been a flop and the new platform 7 is just vista renamed basically.

Yes xp will not recognize more than 4 gb memory, but the system will still utilize additional memory you just can not see it. It was the same back with 98.

There really isn't anything out there currently that would use all of the 4gb memory, so I would go with a decent processor, 3 ghz or so, doesn't need to be the new intell ones as they are to expensive and the bang isn't there for the price. A decent dual core will do you, again alot of software out there doesn't handle the additional lanes that dual and quad cores allow. Unless you are gaming you will not really notice any difference over a dual core. A good video card with its own memory on it will handle two even three monitors. Add another card if you need more. A good cooling fan and heatsink not the stock intel. Make sure the motherboard can handle two vid cards, at the same rate, and it has a couple of extra slots for expansion. not slot 1 slots but full pci slots. Slot one is another thing that never materialized yet board manufacturers still keep using up space with these things.

Stick with in your means and you can build a very good system with out all the new hype of widgets and gadgets that the manufacture wants to sell you.

Happy Trading
Tom

Turns out my mother-board fried - not a Vista problem at all.

Still hate Vista though! I'll be loading my old copy of XP Professional over the weekend.

Thanks for the interest and advice guys - and have a great weekend!