|
PureBytes Links
Trading Reference Links
|
Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pro (not regular XP) for the OS. XP is the end of
the line for the W3.1-W95-W98-ME-XP versions of Windows, which for me are
too unreliable and too full of security holes.
Avoid PCs by Acer, Compaq (sold under HP name now), and all really low
priced PCs.
Dell is probably the best, including support considerations. Its support is
outstanding and extends long after the warranty ends. I think Dell has a
dual processor model.
Gateway is ok but its support is not as good as Dells, IMHO.
You get less for your money when buying in retail stores. And even the big
brand names are often made by lows bid, lower quality contract
manufacturers. IBMs were made by Acer at one time, and Acer is poor IMHO.
HPs are often now made by Compaq, and latter made awful laptops and
desktops.
Specs? Minimum:
2 Ghz processor(s) or faster. Faster PCI bus speed, the better.
1 Gb RAM or more.
35 MB hard drive capacity. Two drives are better than one, above 35 gb, but
only if both are SCSI. SCSI is faster than other choices because it permits
simultaneous operation of multiple drives, but SCSI costs a lot more.
Hard drive speed - 10k rpm speed is fastest, 7200 rpm is ok. The 10k rpm
drives have a high mortality rate and operate considerably hotter than the
7200 rpm drives. 10k rpm may only make sense if you use SCSI hard drive(s),
along with SCSI tape back up and SCSI DVD drive.
DVD RAM drive (write capability is nice for backups). These are slower than
the fastest CD drives and read only DVD drives, but the write capability is
handy.
Add on a Sony DAT SCSI or other 40 Gb tape back up, if you can afford it.
Two nVidia GeForce video cards bought at the same time; or two equivalent
video cards installed by Dell or whomever at the same time. That's to
ensure that both are at about the same engineering change level and are
compatible.
SoundBlaster PCI slot sound card.
Be sure to get every upgrade in power supply and cooling fans that you can.
You may need to add those after you get the PC. Above configuration will
generate a lot more heat than prior generation PCs.
ViewSonic makes nice LCD panel displays for the money. Most LCD panel
displays are good, probably best to use price and length of warranty as
major tie breaking criteria.
Best to have both LCD panel displays the same size, model and brand, but you
can mix them if you don't mind having some multi monitor operation
irritations. TS6 must be used across multiple monitors to fit the smallest
monitor, else part of it is not visible and not accessible. Some of us have
put in an enhancement request at TradeStationWorld, to solve this current
limitation.
Stick to 17" or larger LCD panel displays. Generally an LCD display is about
one size larger than the superficially equivalent CRT type display. In
other words, the actual usable displayed area on a 17" LCD panel is about
the same as that on a 19" CRT type monitor. Plus LCD displays operate
cooler.
Dump the satellite feed and convert to either xDSL or cable, unless you live
too far out to get either xDSL or cable. Satellite and its slow dial up for
outgoing data are too slow for day trading. Satellite is more reliable for
incoming data than cable and xDSL but the dial up for outgoing data is a
severe speed handicap.
Personally build my own PCs, costs more, process is extremely frustrating
and time consuming, but I get a better PC in the end.
Hope above helps.
Vince Heiker
Flower Mound, TX
-----Original Message-----
From: maxci@xxxxxx [mailto:maxci@xxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 5:15 AM
To: MedianLine Group; omega list
Subject: [OT] New pc
I need to buy a new pc for trading , anyone is willing to recommend a
good configuration?
I use a satellite data feed and TS4, I've had WinNT as OS until now and
was very satisfied of its stability, which OS should I opt for?
Please answer privately if you believe it is more appropriate.
Thanks.
Massimo.
ps.I apologize for cross posting.
---
|