New Build for Day Trading

[jabronidan89]

I haven't built a rig since 2004 or 2005 so excuse me for being so out of the loop.

I need a new machine for trading. I will be buying 3 monitors so I will need a video card that can support that.

I'm looking at picking up:
CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W
Mobo- ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
RAM- mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Hard Drive- 74GB Raptor or SSD?

Not sure on monitors (3 19 inch ones would be nice) or a video card. Also any recommendations on a power supply and case?

I would also buy a decent set of speakers. I like to listen to music while trading.

I want to keep this under $2,500 for the entire package. I will only be trading on this machine, using all 3 monitors at once, running Thinkorswim (I trade futures.)

Thanks for any and all advice.

 

[Roguestar]

Don't see why you're selecting a raptor or SSD for day trading, when CPU is much more important.

Maybe given the current economic goings on you should invest your $2.5K in gold .

 

[jabronidan89]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Don't see why you're selecting a raptor or SSD for day trading, when CPU is much more important.

Maybe given the current economic goings on you should invest your $2.5K in gold .

Is the CPU I selected not adequate for my needs? I don't need to save money here, but I don't want to waste money either. I did a little research and it seems the CPU I posted above will be more than sufficient. I can afford a raptor, so why not get one?

But if you think I should get a better cpu, please let me know.

 

[mpilchfamily]

I agree. Drop the raptor and just get a nice affordable high capacity HDD. It will last longer then the Raptor anyway.

As for the video card i suggest you get a pair of mid range cards. Each card will handle 2 monitors without a problem. I suggest maybe a pair of Nvidia 9600 GTs. All in all you can keep this build inside of the $1500 mark and still have a system that is way more then antiquate for your needs. Unless that $2500 is including the 3 monitors.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814133239

 

[jabronidan89]

Well, I'd say $2500 includes the monitors, the computer, and a desk that I would get.
But that is a lot of money. Each monitor will run me $200 (I want monitors that I can take off of their stand and put them on an array.) So that is $200 per monitor, plus $200 for an array, which is $800.

The computer should certainly fit under $1500, probably under $1200 even.

Would I run those video cards in SLI or no?

 

[Lonyo]

No, run them in non-SLI so that you can use 3 monitors.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: jabronidan89

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Don't see why you're selecting a raptor or SSD for day trading, when CPU is much more important.

Maybe given the current economic goings on you should invest your $2.5K in gold .

Is the CPU I selected not adequate for my needs? I don't need to save money here, but I don't want to waste money either. I did a little research and it seems the CPU I posted above will be more than sufficient. I can afford a raptor, so why not get one?

But if you think I should get a better cpu, please let me know.

No, no. Your CPU is more than enough. If you were to overspend in an area I'd have expected it in that and not the HD. Ditch the Raptor for a high performing large capacity drive like the WD 1TB Caviar Black instead.

 

[DSF]

SLi doesn't allow for multiple monitors. You'd be running the cards independently.

 

[jabronidan89]

I think I'll get this PSU http://www.pcpower.com/power-s...er-750-quad-black.html. Super silent, I need that.

Case- I am thinking this Lian Li will be perfect. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811112040

Monitor- I think 3 of these will be very nice. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824116391

I want to take them off of their stands though and put them on an array. Maybe something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824994002, but it looks kind of shitty anyone have a better solution?

Speakers?

**Oh I also think I'll just upgrade the CPU to the Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor. Only $15, why not.

 

[vj8usa]

Originally posted by: DSF
SLi doesn't allow for multiple monitors. You'd be running the cards independently.

Won't they support it soon? I seem to remember hearing the 180 drivers will support multiple monitors with SLI.

 

[Blain]

For "Day Trading" the most important hardware is was resides between your ears.
Being disciplined, having PLENTY of capital, knowing when to pull the trigger as well as when to cut your losses...
The very most important function taking place! :laugh:

As long as you've got a reliable brokerage, fast internet connection, real time information streams, "Day Trading" requires very little in the way of advanced PC components.



BTW, Keep us informed as to how and how fast you lost your bank roll.

 

[DSF]

750W is way more than you need for the two pedestrian video cards you're likely to be using. Also, those PCP&C "Silencer" models have a reputation for being anything but. Always check PSU reviews before you buy.

 

[jabronidan89]

Originally posted by: Blain
For "Day Trading" the most important hardware is was resides between your ears.
Being disciplined, having PLENTY of capital, knowing when to pull the trigger as well as when to cut your losses...
The very most important function taking place! :laugh:

As long as you've got a reliable brokerage, fast internet connection, real time information streams, "Day Trading" requires very little in the way of advanced PC components.



BTW, Keep us informed as to how and how fast you lost your bank roll.

Well, this isn't something I've just decided to do out of the blue. I currently trade options and I have a 300% profit on the last 2 months.

I've just decided it's time to start trading futures as they are highly leveraged and fantastic to day trade.

But I agree, discipline + patience is most important. But so is some nice equipment.

 

[vshah]

i would recommend 22" screens, i think they're the best bang for buck in terms of how much screen real estate you get for your dollar

 

[jabronidan89]

I may order my monitors from http://www.customtradingcomputers.com.

I'll continue looking for a nice array but I can't find one.

***Oh man, those guys will rip me off. I'll just get the 3 Viewsonics and keep them on their own stand.

 

[jabronidan89]

I'll also need a router that has a strong wi-fi signal. I need to get very good reception in the basement (1st floor) when the router is on the 3rd floor. My current router, the built in router from the modem that verizon gives you, sucks.

 

[Roguestar]

Anything recent by linksys, netgear, d-link with wireless-N or perhaps a "rangeboost" function. In order of brand preference.

 

[Chapbass]

go bug jackmds in the networking section for good routers. im sure he'll have tons to talk about and probably a link to ezlan for you .


As far as the monitors...i used to use a triple monitor setup and LOVED it. I had 2 19"s with a 24 in the middle. Why not go for 3x22"s instead? they arent much more than 19's, and i would think the screen real estate would be handy...unless i missed something about you specifically wanting 19s?


edit: PS. grab a copy of ultramon while your at it. its like 10 bucks

 

[jae]

theres 22inch acer lcds for 179.99 on newegg.. Free shipping too.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: jabronidan89
I'll also need a router that has a strong wi-fi signal. I need to get very good reception in the basement (1st floor) when the router is on the 3rd floor. My current router, the built in router from the modem that verizon gives you, sucks.

You're going to trust "air" when making time sensitive trades?
There's no way I'd go with anything other than a "wired" connection.
It doesn't take that much effort to run some Cat5e Plenum through duct work, and you'd get a far better connection.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: jabronidan89
I'll also need a router that has a strong wi-fi signal. I need to get very good reception in the basement (1st floor) when the router is on the 3rd floor. My current router, the built in router from the modem that verizon gives you, sucks.

For daytrading I'd stay hardwired. I'd also go with the e8600, since cost efficiency seems less important than processor efficiency with your budget. And if your software does extensive/burdensome read/writes to the hd, I'd consider putting it in a ramdisk while employing frequent backups to the hd.

Sounds like you've mostly owned puts recently, and have had the volatility and selloff of a lifetime to capitalize on. Congrats on your recent successes, but also make sure you work to be resilient in all types of markets (if you're not already), and prepare for the volatility to significantly implode imo over the next few years once this dust settles.

edit:/ as for the cpu, it depends on the efficiency of your software and amount of charts that you have open etc, that constantly refresh and recalculated each indicator that you are using, as well as what time frames the charts are and how much data each of them incorporate when calculating/recalculating everything. Always have more room to calculate and monitor more, so always get the fastest cpu you can afford. And while a dual core is fine for most, consider how many priority applications you'll be using. At minimum you'll have two, your trading software and your brokerage order interface which you want completely unhindered. Most apps beyond that can afford to get in line behind them.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: jabronidan89
I'll also need a router that has a strong wi-fi signal. I need to get very good reception in the basement (1st floor) when the router is on the 3rd floor. My current router, the built in router from the modem that verizon gives you, sucks.

You're going to trust "air" when making time sensitive trades?
There's no way I'd go with anything other than a "wired" connection.
It doesn't take that much effort to run some Cat5e Plenum through duct work, and you'd get a far better connection.

Sorry, I missed your comment and duplicated it. 100% agree. Its less reliable, and afaik there is more latency, and price changes in the stock market happen in milliseconds/microseconds.

 

[Denithor]

Get one of these:

Matrox TripleHead2Go DVI

Product info
Reviewed here

For $300 it lets you hook up three LCD screens from one video card (extends the desktop across the whole screen space). If you go with 22" panels you have the equivalent of 5040x1050 sitting there on your desk. This will let you go with a single strong video card with a dual-link DVI output (GTX 260 would be my recommendation).

 

[Blain]

Thanks Leo

 

[Skott]

I'm a Raptor fan and use them but even I would tell you a Raptor is overkill for a day trading rig. Get a good 32Mb cache hardrive for less and put the saved money in your pocket or put it into other components for the rig.