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Good trading computer?

  • #1
  • First Post: May 31, 2013 4:00am May 31, 2013 4:00am
Hey all

I am thinking of ordering this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/INTEL-Cor...deddcd3&_uhb=1

And 2 x this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290567385822

With the windows home premium purchase it comes to about $750.

Is this a reasonable price and a good, fast computer? I run 6 monitors hence the 2 extra video cards.

Cheers all you computer buffs
  • #2
  • May 31, 2013 4:14am May 31, 2013 4:14am
Not if I out bid you muahahaha...

Fudos the man to talk to about this stuff I believe I think he made a thread on something similar.

Looks pretty good from what I can see but my current set up is pretty basic, I'm also considering an upgrade and extra 4-6 monitors so quite interested in this thread.
Time hides Nothing
  • #3
  • May 31, 2013 4:31am May 31, 2013 4:31am
Quoting CindyXXXX
Not if I out bid you muahahaha... Fudos the man to talk to about this stuff I believe I think he made a thread on something similar. Looks pretty good from what I can see but my current set up is pretty basic, I'm also considering an upgrade and extra 4-6 monitors so quite interested in this thread.
Cheers mate, have sent him a pm so hopefully he will drop in soon
  • #4
  • May 31, 2013 8:51am May 31, 2013 8:51am
Quoting Agro
Is this a reasonable price and a good, fast computer? I run 6 monitors hence the 2 extra video cards.
//----

hey agro..... not sure how much things go for down there but it sounds like an ok deal..... would have to look deeper into the specs to say for sure....

//----


i have several multi monitor setups..... my latest, and best, sounds about like what your trying to setup........

it uses the large dell all-in-one windows 8 computer with touch screen..... 4 extra monitors simply plug into the usb 3.0 ports..... it only took a little bit to hook it all up including the quad monitor rack..... there are no extra cards or tools needed.....

the 23 inch version dell all-in-one right now is a little over 600.....h
to trade and code, keep both simple... no call to impress....h
  • #5
  • May 31, 2013 12:44pm May 31, 2013 12:44pm
Quoting Agro
Hey all I am thinking of ordering this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/INTEL-Cor...deddcd3&_uhb=1 And 2 x this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290567385822 With the windows home premium purchase it comes to about $750. Is this a reasonable price and a good, fast computer? I run 6 monitors hence the 2 extra video cards. Cheers all you computer buffs
Oh dear . . .

what is the cooling solution in the case ? what motherboard does it use ? what is the quality of the PSU ? what make of RAM is used ? how many memory channels are used ? what make is the Hard Drive ? Gaming PC ? using onboard graphics ?

Basically you are buying a box of bits and you do not know who makes any of it except the CPU . . . and you think this is a good deal ?
20 pips a day isn't too much to ask . . .
  • #6
  • May 31, 2013 2:12pm May 31, 2013 2:12pm
Agro don't take me wrong here, but you didn't give alot of info and you will not be happy with a bare bones system. Raptor is correct in that you need to know more about the components and the computer usage. Is this only a trading set up or do you use it for home and business or gaming? You use 6 monitors which is alot for anyone to look at. Are they all looking at one instance of mt4 or multiples? You are looking at the system from one person and two vid cards from a different person. This is usually not a good idea if you are not savy on the install quirks. As for the set up, The h77 chipset will not support two additional cards properly, As for the cards I would look at using the 620 instead of the 210. The memory is a good amount, but again do uou need that much, what is the speed. You maybe could use less memory and get a higher speed. As for the i7 you probably would be fine with an i5 if it is just for trading. You will not use the extra cores and you would not notice any speed change. The main issue is the board as most barebone boards will not have two slots for extra cards. Then you would need to change out the power supply as it probably will not support two additional cards either. Last is the case, does the case have room two put two extra cards in it, does have enough space to allow cool flow inside with the extra cards, does it have extra fans for cooling. The stock intel fan would need to be changed, especially in Australia, I am in the desert also and when it is above 115 here cooling is an issue. Is the computer running 24 hours which also would need extra cooling. As for the hard drive, I would put in two 500 drives and then partition the os on one of them. Use the other for your programs. I have a 200gb for my os and then 2 500gb for my business and personal programs, But this last thing is just my personal preference. I don't load programs on my C: drive, when I don't have to. Anyway alot more here to think of before you plunge and find out it will not all play together later. Sadly the guy building this for you should be asking all these questions before he starts. If this is strictly a trade set up and you are a serious trader making your living off trading, then I would look at alot more and expect to pay for what will help me be a better trader. Again it all comes down to what and how will the computer be used and what you need it to do to accomplish that usage. Good luck
  • #7
  • May 31, 2013 10:45pm May 31, 2013 10:45pm
Ok guys, got me thinking

As for the box of bits comment, I think you are probably right and they have used a good processor that every computer layman will know about, but everything else is probably the cheapest of the cheap.

twj, you have made some good points and I am now thinking I will get a mate of mine who is good with this stuff to build me something. He knows nothing about trading though and so I would appreciate if you guys could tell me what he should focus on.

Ok, specific details

  1. This computer is for trading ONLY. Nothing else whatsoever.
  2. I am a manual trader, do not use any scripts and no mt4. Just 6 screens with a chart on each (java based platform although I may be switching to sierra charts soon). I am a very short term trader that enters and exits with market orders so speed and refresh rate of screens is important.
  3. I trade in the evening and into the night and temperature rarely will get above 30C (85F) when I am trading (generally 10C-25C through winter and summer)
  4. I trade up to 8 hours a night, 4-5 nights a week and the computer is off the rest of the time
  5. I have 6 screens - 3 x 17' dell, 1 x 22' dell and 2 x 17' hp
  6. My internet connection is ADSL2+ and runs between 5 and 10Mbps
  7. I would like everything to be wireless (mouse, keyboard, internet connection)

As far as budget I would like to keep it under $1000 if possible.

Ok, if there is anything else you need to know then just ask.

Cheers all

  • #8
  • Jun 1, 2013 2:29am Jun 1, 2013 2:29am
Quoting Agro
Ok guys, got me thinking As for the box of bits comment, I think you are probably right and they have used a good processor that every computer layman will know about, but everything else is probably the cheapest of the cheap. twj, you have made some good points and I am now thinking I will get a mate of mine who is good with this stuff to build me something.
Hey Agro, just do a Google search for computer forum and you should get the leading forum down here where they will be happy to put together a configuration exactly suited to your needs. Putting a system together these days is very straightforward.
Good luck with it.
  • #9
  • Jun 3, 2013 6:05am Jun 3, 2013 6:05am
Cheers Eagle, took your advice

This is the build I have been suggested

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/PCunicorn/saved/1GSL, but replace video card with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=1jp6zz3to0ll2

What do people think?
  • #10
  • Jun 3, 2013 7:02am Jun 3, 2013 7:02am
Quoting Agro
Cheers Eagle, took your advice This is the build I have been suggested http://pcpartpicker.com/user/PCunicorn/saved/1GSL, but replace video card with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=1jp6zz3to0ll2 What do people think?
That case has a single 120mm rear fan, I think you need an intake fan at the front too and maybe one at the side to supply the CPU/Graphics Card. Cooling is the most under specced component on most systems, you can't go over the top . . .

How do your monitor connect ? HDMI ? VGA ? DVI ?
20 pips a day isn't too much to ask . . .
  • #11
  • Jun 3, 2013 7:15am Jun 3, 2013 7:15am
Quoting RaptorUK
{quote} That case has a single 120mm rear fan, I think you need an intake fan at the front too and maybe one at the side to supply the CPU/Graphics Card. Cooling is the most under specced component on most systems, you can't go over the top . . . How do your monitor connect ? HDMI ? VGA ? DVI ?
VGA and DVI.
  • #12
  • Jun 3, 2013 8:01am Jun 3, 2013 8:01am
Quoting Agro
Cheers Eagle, took your advice This is the build I have been suggested http://pcpartpicker.com/user/PCunicorn/saved/1GSL, but replace video card with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=1jp6zz3to0ll2 What do people think?
Not sure if you would get them down under at those prices as the list quotes US sources. Raptor has a valid point about the case and cooling, however reputable cases like Antec etc would eat into your budget.
EP
  • #13
  • Jun 3, 2013 9:49am Jun 3, 2013 9:49am
Quoting Agro
VGA and DVI.
Don't forget to factor in the cost of the mini display port to VGA or DVI adapters that you will need above and beyond those supplied with the graphics card, if any.
20 pips a day isn't too much to ask . . .
  • #14
  • Jun 3, 2013 5:29pm Jun 3, 2013 5:29pm
None of these will play well with each other.. The board is a basic entry board, good for surfing, and no expansion room. The cpu is again a good basic entry item, don't think it will work well with multiple monitors. The memory will not work with either of these items, board max 1333, cpu max is 1066. The case again is a basic desktop item. The power supply is to low for everything together. The vid card is not a bad card , but not what you probably want. The best thing with this card is you can take 6 screens and make one big screen like a movie theater. The problem is to do this you do need the 3rd gen I series cpu. It is also to big for this small board. As for what Raptor said and he is correct, you do need to buy additional adapters for your monitors to work, approx $30-50 Dependingthe type. Out of the box this card supports 2 monitors. The card also has a reputation for being hard to set up. As for Win 8, well that is a personal thing. I would say it is more than you need as an OS. It has a lot of things that just are not used by any system as of yet. It is also to new and will under go several revisions.

The vga annd dvi is the connector on the end of your monitor cable. Since you have several different monitors I am guessing you have both types. The vga looks like a blue (usual color) d-sub connector with pins. The dvi looks like a flat (usually white) connector with pins and blades. These are what you will need an adapter for.
  • #15
  • Jun 3, 2013 5:42pm Jun 3, 2013 5:42pm
So more questions.. What is the current set up you have, and why do you need to change it?
Have you looked into maybe just upgrading what you have?
What are you going to do with the current system, anything that can be recycled into the new one? Such as the hard drive and Operating System.
While you are watching screens, do you surf, edit anything, read news?
Do you have any number crunching or tick counting indicators on these charts?
(Anything that when you pull it up on the screen you notice your computer lag or more fan noise)
You don't use mt4, but do you run multiple instances of what you use or are all screens running from the one program?
You wanted wifi, do you currently have wifi?
Do you see the possibility of system expansion in the future?


When you are finished with this system life, do you plan on using it for somethingelse, selling it?
I presume you are a serious trader and possibly this is your income, so this is not where you want to skimp.
  • #16
  • Jun 4, 2013 2:54am Jun 4, 2013 2:54am
Quoting twj1usa
So more questions.. What is the current set up you have, and why do you need to change it? Have you looked into maybe just upgrading what you have? What are you going to do with the current system, anything that can be recycled into the new one? Such as the hard drive and Operating System. While you are watching screens, do you surf, edit anything, read news? Do you have any number crunching or tick counting indicators on these charts? (Anything that when you pull it up on the screen you notice your computer lag or more fan noise) You don't use...

Hey mate

I have this - Dell Inc., Precision WorkStation 690, Workstation, Black, 1 X Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU 5160 @ 3.00GHz, 2048MB RAM, 320GB SATA HDD, 48 Speed HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GSA-H53N, 0 KB NV18GL [Quadro FX 550], NetXtreme BCM5752 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express, 631xESB/632xESB High Definition Audio Controller, FDD, 7 USB Ports, 1 Firewire ports

Also two extra video cards matrox 7003-0301 and I am running windows XP

As for why I want a new computer, this one is very buggy now. It seems to bog down a lot and lag. Sometimes it wont start up and I have to pull the RAM out and reinsert. Sometimes it just shuts down on me for no reason and now it sometimes makes this unbareable high pitched sound that gets right inside my head.

Yeah, I surf the internet a bit when watching screens, take screen shots of trades and edit them in paint. I also have a couple of different brokers charts up and sometimes I do actually use MT4 (contrary to my post) for a tick by tick script. I will also be looking to run sierra charts in the future (along with my other charts). So a few programs will be running at a time.

As for recycling, my comp was awesome in it's day but I think now it is not so good and obviously things are starting to go wrong with many of the components. But I am far from an expert so I could be wrong.

I guess I could see the posibility of an expansion in the future to 8 screens.

Cheers for your help
  • #17
  • Jun 4, 2013 5:09am Jun 4, 2013 5:09am
Quoting Agro
Hey mate I have this - Dell Inc., Precision WorkStation 690, Workstation, Black, 1 X Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU 5160 @ 3.00GHz, 2048MB RAM, 320GB SATA HDD, 48 Speed HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GSA-H53N, 0 KB NV18GL [Quadro FX 550], NetXtreme BCM5752 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express, 631xESB/632xESB High Definition Audio Controller, FDD, 7 USB Ports, 1 Firewire ports Also two extra video cards matrox 7003-0301 and I am running windows XP As for why I want a new computer, this one is very buggy now. It seems to bog down a lot and lag. Sometimes it wont start up and I...

When was the last time it was properly cleaned ? I mean with a vacuum cleaner and soft brush to remove any dust from the CPU Heatsink and fan, from the graphics card heatsinks and from any case fans ?

Before buying a new PC you might consider a RAM upgrade to 4GB and a upgrade to Windows 7 x64 . . . from what I have read Windows has drivers, the only issue may be your Ethernet card, but that is inexpensive to change. As usual though . . . DYOR
20 pips a day isn't too much to ask . . .
  • #18
  • Jun 4, 2013 5:16am Jun 4, 2013 5:16am
Quoting RaptorUK
{quote} When was the last time it was properly cleaned ?
Ummmmm, never

Cheers for the advise, will the upgrade you suggested make much difference though? I think I can add another cpu as well which also might help. Hadn't really thought of upgrading my old unit but maybe it is worth looking into now two people have suggested it. But as I say, many things go wrong with my comp, but maybe a good clean will fix that.
  • #19
  • Jun 4, 2013 6:11am Jun 4, 2013 6:11am
Quoting Agro
Ummmmm, never Cheers for the advise, will the upgrade you suggested make much difference though? I think I can add another cpu as well which also might help. Hadn't really thought of upgrading my old unit but maybe it is worth looking into now two people have suggested it. But as I say, many things go wrong with my comp, but maybe a good clean will fix that.
A good clean will certainly help, just treat it with lots of care and do it turned off but with the power cable plugged in so it is grounded. A bulb blower is also helpful if you have one . . .

2 --> 4GB RAM will help some and make paging to disk less frequent, another thing to do if you haven't done it is a good defragment, I use MyDefrag, it's freeware and has daily, weekly and monthly schedulable options.

XP --> Windows 7 will help lots, it handle memory much better and as a result loads faster and is "snappier" IMO.
20 pips a day isn't too much to ask . . .
  • #20
  • Jun 4, 2013 6:24pm Jun 4, 2013 6:24pm
Hi Guys, So I see that Raptor has probably hit the nail head here. So first sorry for the relentless questions, but it is the only way to find the issue.
I would agree that we probably have several maintenance issues here, which could be easily resolved. First I would go to www.piriform.com and download the
cc cleaner, speccy and defrag programs. cleaner is just what it says, it cleans before you run it just check the box's on the side as to what you want cleaned. It can be relentless at times and you have to tame it a little. I do temp files, history, cookies, urls, prefetch and recycle bin.. those will keep you safe. The speccy will give us the system info we need if you decide to upgrade, and the defrag will clean your file bin. It is like when the kids take all the toys out of the toy box, this will put them all back in the right place. Those will be a good start and quickly get minor problems out of the way.
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