Re: [RT] Trading Computer Specs

["Pete Holt" <peteholt@xxxxxxx>]

We just had a good presentation on this at our local TradeStation User Group meeting last night.

 

You don't need any "special" machine to run TS or to trade.  Just get a machine with lots of RAM (1 Gig will generally do, but 2 is better), a pretty fast hard drive and a pretty fast processor (they don't have to be the latest and most expensive) and you will be fine.  If you run multiple monitors, make sure you have a good graphics card and don't use the CPU for driving the monitors.  You will not save any money be specing out a machine as any manufacturer produces machines to company specs in volume to reduce costs.  Your one-of-a-kind will be more expensive.

 

Your most intensive CPU usage is generally when you are backtesting and optimizing systems and not when you are trading, useless you have many, many indicators running.

 

There are ways to streamline and raise the efficiency of EasyLanguage code if you are running a lot of indicators.  Change the function calls to straight code and change the indicators to update only when there is a price change and you will probably save about 30% or better on CPU overhead.

 

Also, be sure you look at the minimum and preferred  hardware for MS Vista, the operating system that Microsoft will introduce next year (they say).  You don't want to get something that is outdated in a year or so.

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: bealer_bob

To: realtraders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 11:06 AM

Subject: [RT] Trading Computer Specs

I'm in the market for a new trading computer. I trade primarily the
Dow Jones mini using Tradestation with a 2 monitor display containing
20 charts and two time & sales windows.

I've always purchased Dell in the past, and to a large extent have
been pleased. But now I'm wondering if purchasing a computer
specifically designed for trading may by a better route. I've talked
to both TradingComputers.com and CustomTradingComputers.com. They've
both specked out machines that cost about twice as much as similar
systems that I've specked out myself at Dell. Both claim that the
parts that they specify in combination will run faster and more
efficiently than anything that Dell can provide.

What do the more experienced traders in the group do when they want
to upgrade to a new trading machine? Is it worth the extra money to
have it designed by a trading computer specialist, or can I spec out
a comparable machine myself and save allot of money? If the latter is
the case, what sort of specs would you recommend?

Thanks in advance,

Bob

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