A new PC setup for a evening FX trader (Part-time).... Input would be appreciated

[jb323]

The long and the short of it, is that I am looking to start a new pc setup from home to trade. I day trade, FX currently looking to trade evening session to potentially go full time if I can sort out my R:R / Money management!!


Basically... Newbie needs experienced helpful techies input! I currently looking at a basic 2 screen setup... but from there Im lost as to what I need...

 

[Waterfield]

All PC's and laptops have 2 output slots for monitors (dependant on what graphics card you use).

One usually DVI and the other off the top of my head a DVGA.

All you need to do it identify what your monitor uses, then get a DVI to DVGA or DVGA to DVI adapter.

After doing so, go to your control panel if you run a windows machine and hey presto you now have a two screen PC.

I hope this helps.
Google/Youtube is also a good tool for questions.

Phil.

 

[jb323]

All PC's and laptops have 2 output slots for monitors (dependant on what graphics card you use).

One usually DVI and the other off the top of my head a DVGA.

All you need to do it identify what your monitor uses, then get a DVI to DVGA or DVGA to DVI adapter.

After doing so, go to your control panel if you run a windows machine and hey presto you now have a two screen PC.

I hope this helps.
Google/Youtube is also a good tool for questions.

Phil.

Cheers Phil,

ANy recommendations on hardware/software for a good home setup?

As in graphics capabilities necessary for detailed TA.

And bit of a sh*t question, I wouldnt have any probelms with windows 7 would i?

 

[Waterfield]

We're well past the days when you had to worry about storage and speed.

Most processors should cover all trading needs. Storage wise anything more than 100GB to be honest is more than enough, depends on if you watch high definition clips mainly or play games.

Unless you're going to be playing games just search dell, meshcomputers, pcspecialist, ebuyer (maybe not the best), comet etc.

An integrated graphics card will do for anything but multitasking and games. Even then you could buy the cheapest PC you could find and get a decent GPU for £60. However I'd still recommend buying a PC with a graphics card rather than intergrated (unless you're going for a laptop then there's not much choice).

If you're going to be buying a whole new kit, windows 7 will probably already be installed.

It's been a while since I've looked at the PC market, but generally multicore = great for multitasking, single core (super speed) = great for single applications. Also, I highly recommend google chrome!

There's a thread somewhere on this forum (I think it's called "best from the web") which contains hundreds of pages of software suggestions, from screen shot software, video software to free office packages.

Waffled a bit but hope that helps?

Phil

 

[Adamus]

you should try to ascertain whether the software you're going to use can run on Windows 64 bit software, for the performance. Would be desirable with combinations like IB & NinjaTrader.

 

[wackypete2]

Maybe this is obvious so forgive me but..if you are going to be daytrading you should make sure the computer is not bogged down with other tasks. For heaven's sake do not use the computer for games or downloading movies, or streaming music WHILE you are trading.

Let us know how things are going!

Good Luck,

Peter

 

[jb323]

Maybe this is obvious so forgive me but..if you are going to be daytrading you should make sure the computer is not bogged down with other tasks. For heaven's sake do not use the computer for games or downloading movies, or streaming music WHILE you are trading.

Let us know how things are going!

Good Luck,

Peter

CHeers for the heads up, it's better to be safe than sorry.

But this was going to be just fo trading. I can keep me laptop for the other sh*t.

thanks

Joe

 

[shadowninja]

Apart from what they've said, you might want to give us more detail about how you trade eg scalping, swing, spreadbetting, FX broker, direct and the software you prefer to use.

 

[Waterfield]

I have a friend who uses two different profiles.

One is a guest profile and the only applications they can open is a web browser, screenshot software and trading software. This means that if they download an exe file, they can't install it. Hence protection from most viruses during their trading session.

If they want to do anything else they just log in on their administrator account, but I think they're a bit to old for games tbh.

Hope this helps and might give you an idea of how to set up your OS a bit.

Phil.

 

[kimo'sabby]

The long and the short of it, is that I am looking to start a new pc setup from home to trade. I day trade, FX currently looking to trade evening session to potentially go full time if I can sort out my R:R / Money management!!


Basically... Newbie needs experienced helpful techies input! I currently looking at a basic 2 screen setup... but from there Im lost as to what I need...

I stopped trading in the evening, couldn't sleep at night, didn't have enough time to wind down. Much prefer getting up at 5.15am and being ready for the early start and finishing around lunch time.

 

[jb323]

Kimo'sabby:

I could imagine that being a problem and idelaly I would give up the day job and trade all day. But then I have nothing to fall back on when the sh*t its the fan!!