Beginner: PC setup

[SFAOK]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie - first post. Currently in a high powered job but craving escape into a world of autonomous day trading. Have set myself a 3 year plan to learn, learn, learn and learn some more. I'm reading the books...but realising that they lack context without being able to track the market, watch the charts etc. So, I'm looking to buy a trading PC setup. Then, a dummy account.

Question: I'm an Apple Mac user but I assume PC windows is the way to go. Any tips on the gear I'll need and easy route into it?

Cheers!!

Paul

 

[forker]

Unless you are planning on doing heavy real-time processing, you can work just fine on an entry level pc

 

[Atilla]

Why don't you carry on using your apple.

Plenty of browser based trading apps.

Having said that I'd recommend getting rid of your over priced and hyped apple with a PC / Laptop.

 

[SFAOK]

Why don't you carry on using your apple.
:

I like the integration of Apple across a family of five. They make it so easy.

But, I've struggled to find a trading platform that works outside Windows.

 

[Atilla]

I like the integration of Apple across a family of five. They make it so easy.

But, I've struggled to find a trading platform that works outside Windows.

https://www.ig.com/uk/desktop-trading-platform

 

[dermotobrien]

I started off using my mac.. it was okay but I found trading platforms didn't work as well compared to windows.

 

[Phylo]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie - first post. Currently in a high powered job but craving escape into a world of autonomous day trading. Have set myself a 3 year plan to learn, learn, learn and learn some more. I'm reading the books...but realising that they lack context without being able to track the market, watch the charts etc. So, I'm looking to buy a trading PC setup. Then, a dummy account.

Question: I'm an Apple Mac user but I assume PC windows is the way to go. Any tips on the gear I'll need and easy route into it?

Cheers!!

Paul

Suggestions toward a high powered budget. Further research required.

Note: I have no affiliation with any products mentioned. Products are mentioned by way of example. Most are free. Some are modestly priced.

CPU: Intel i5 or i7 or better. see - https://www.cpubenchmark.net/ for CPU comparisons.

Don't trusst PC World sales reps BS re so called fast AMD machines. If you must go AMD then check above link for an idea of pecking order.

Rather than trying to find a CPU in the above cpubenchmark link it may be be quicker to google 'Intel Core i7-950 3.07GH benchmark', etc.

Ram: 8-16GB. 16GB better.

Hard Drive: Solid State Drive (SSD) - an absolute must for speed.

If the machine comes with a HDD it can be eadily replaced with a SSD. It need not be a large SSD. For instance, on one of my trading machines I have a 250 GB Samsung 850 PRO SSD. Used space on the drive is 56.0 GB. 176 Free space. The SSD has on it Sierra Chart, Two MT4 platforms and two non-MT4 platforms, a few browsers, images, security software and some miscellaneous. A larger SSD is not required.

Hot-swop caddy: Further to the above, although it would depend on PC case accommodation, is a SSD hot-swop caddy. This enables the SSD to be remove from the external of the case. On weekend a disk image/ clone can be made of the current working drive to a second emergency replacement SSD. In the event of a disk failure or other malfunction the PC can be powered down and the faulty SSD immediately replaced with the emergency clone. See disk imaging/cloning - http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/home-edition/

USB Hard Drive Docking Station If it is not possible to accommodate the clone drive in a second hot-swop caddy an alternative method for cloning is via USB Hard Drive Docking Station - see https://www.amazon.co.uk/ORICO-Docking-Station-Standalone-Function/dp/B00NP42PWE

Multiple Monitors: Two 22-24 inch or larger monitors. Multiple monitors besides other efficiencies affords a wider and deeper view of a chart.

If space and budget allows a second system with 40 inch TV wall mounted (or other arrangement) monitors for charting and duel desktop monitors for trading works out comfortable.

Multiple monitor software is a must for expanding a window across all monitors and other multiple monitor tasks - see Display Fusion or similar. https://www.displayfusion.com/

VGA: Separate and not integrated on motherboard if possible. Dependent on budget and requirement. Further research by self required.

Mouse and Keyboard: Mouse and Keyboard sharing between systems facilitates efficiency - See Synergy - https://symless.com/synergy/ . Works across multiple OS: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X. Garage mouse without borders ionly does windows - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=35460

Systerm Resource Monitoring - see this post - http://www.forexfactory.com/showthread.php?p=8708357#post8708357

Addware & Spyware: It is impossible to surf the web with windows without accumulating adware, spyware, crapware, malware etc. This impacts CPU resources and can cause a windows crash a most importune moment. See Sanboxie - https://www.sandboxie.com/ - or similar. Purchase is not necessary. Click Download at middle top >> Download at Sandboxie.

Futher to the above,if surfing outside a sandbox, windows needs a daily adware removal cleanup - see SuperAntiSpyware - http://www.superantispyware.com/ - or similar

Malwarebytes - https://www.malwarebytes.com/ - run once a week. Purchase not necessary. Click Free Download.

WARNING: beware of spyware software posing as antispyware, antiadware. Refer to trusted sources for reference. Due diligence required.

WARNING: Do not download from www.download.cnet.com or www.cnet.com. Downloads from these sites are loaded with crapware and spyware and the tenaciously difficult to remove opencandy. See wikipedia Opencandy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenCandy

WARNING: When ever installing to window go -s-l-o-w-l-y and uncheck or check all required boxes to opt out of installing unwated crap. These options are desgned to trick the installer into choosing an unintended option.

Majorgeeks downloads up tp present has remained clean - http://www.majorgeeks.com/

Self Build: A self build would require a lot more research.
However, if you go down this route pay attention to Front Side Bus and it's replacemnt. The original front-side bus architecture has been replaced by HyperTransport, Intel QuickPath Interconnect or Direct Media Interface in modern volume CPUs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front-side_bus

 

[sminicooper]

Suggestions toward a high powered budget. Further research required.

Note: I have no affiliation with any products mentioned. Products are mentioned by way of example.

CPU: Intel i5 or i7 or better. see - https://www.cpubenchmark.net/ for CPU comparisons.

Don't trusst PC World sales reps BS re so called fast AMD machines. If you must go AMD then check above link for an idea of pecking order.

Rather than trying to find a CPU in the above cpubenchmark link it may be be quicker to google 'Intel Core i7-950 3.07GH benchmark', etc.

Ram: 8-16GB. 16GB better.

Hard Drive: Solid State Drive (SSD) - an absolute must for speed.

If the machine comes with a HDD it can be eadily replaced with a SSD. It need not be a large SSD. For instance, on one of my trading machines I have a 250 GB Samsung 850 PRO SSD. Used space on the drive is 56.0 GB. 176 Free space. The SSD has on it Sierra Chart, Two MT4 platforms and two non-MT4 platforms, a few browsers, images, security software and some miscellaneous. A larger SSD is not required.

Hot-swop caddy: Further to the above, although it would depend on PC case accommodation, is a SSD hot-swap caddy. This enables the SSD to be remove from the eternal of the case. On weekend a disk image/ clone can be made of the current working drive to a second emergency replacement SSD. In the event of a disk failure or other malfunction the PC can be powered down and the faulty SSD immediately replaced with the emergency clone. See disk imaging/cloning - http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/index.htm

Multiple Monitors: Two 22-24 inch or larger monitors. Multiple monitors besides other efficiencies affords a wider and deeper view of a chart.

If space and budget allows a second system with 40 inch TV wall mounted (or other arrangement) monitors for charting and duel desktop monitors for trading works out comfortable.

Multiple monitor software is a must for expanding a window across all monitors and other multiple monitor tasks - see Display Fusion or similar. https://www.displayfusion.com/

VGA: Separate and not integrated on motherboard if possible. Dependent on budget and requirement. Further self research required.

Mouse and Keyboard: Mouse and Keyboard sharing between systems facilitates efficiency - See Synergy - https://symless.com/synergy/ . Works across multiple OS: Windows, Linux, Mac OS X. Garage mouse without borders ionly does windows - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=35460

Systerm Resource Monitoring - see this post - http://www.forexfactory.com/showthread.php?p=8708357#post8708357

Addware & Spyware: It is impossible to surf the web with windows without accumulating adware, spyware, crapware, malware etc. This impacts CPU resources and can cause a windows crash a most importune moment. See Sanboxie - https://www.sandboxie.com/ - or similar. Purchase is not necessary. Click Download at middle top >> Download at Sandboxie.

Futher to the above windows needs a daily adware removal cleanup - see SuperAntiSpyware - http://www.superantispyware.com/ - or similar
Malwarebytes - https://www.malwarebytes.com/ - run once a week. Purchase not necessary. Click Free Download.

WARNING: beware of spyware software posing as antispyware, antiadware. Refer to trusted sources for reference. Due diligence required.

WARNING: Do not download from www.download.cnet.com or www.cnet.com. Downloads from these sites are loaded with crapware and spyware and the tenaciously difficult to remove opencandy. See wikipedia Opencandy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenCandy

WARNING: When ever installing to window go -s-l-o-w-l-y and uncheck or check all required boxes to opt out of installing unwated crap. These options are desgned to trick the installer into choosing an unintended option.
Majorgeeks downloads up tp present has remained clean - http://www.majorgeeks.com/

Self Build: A self build would require a lot more research.
However, if you go down this route pay attention to Front Side Bus and it's replacemnt. The original front-side bus architecture has been replaced by HyperTransport, Intel QuickPath Interconnect or Direct Media Interface in modern volume CPUs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front-side_bus

Excellent advice for the serious high-tech PC user. But if the OP is just starting out on trading I'd suggest that he reserves all his brainpower (and money) for his trading apprenticeship. As somebody has already said, any entry-level PC or family cast off would be good enough while you're learning. Once your trading is making loads of dosh, buying a fancy PC – if you really need one – won't be a problem.

 

[progix]

Exactly, trading can be done using a normal PC however if anyone making huge bulk of profits then they may switch to any of their dream brands.

 

[Phylo]

Excellent advice for the serious high-tech PC user. But if the OP is just starting out on trading I'd suggest that he reserves all his brainpower (and money) for his trading apprenticeship. As somebody has already said, any entry-level PC or family cast off would be good enough while you're learning. Once your trading is making loads of dosh, buying a fancy PC – if you really need one – won't be a problem.

The OP describes himself as high powered employed.

Hence - "Suggestions toward a high powered budget."

The high powered employed are commonly high achievers.

High powered achievers have excess brain power.

High powered earners have excess cash power.

From the stand point of the high powered earner - high achiever your comment is false economy.

Besides the OP high powered earner - achiever the post is intended towards other high powered earners - high achievers.

The post has some redundancy built in.

 

[sminicooper]

The OP describes himself as high powered employed.

The high powered employed are commonly high achievers.

High powered achievers have excess brain power.

High powered earners have excess cash power.

From the stand point of the high powered earner - high achiever your comment is false economy.

Besides the OP high powered earner - achiever the post is intended towards other high powered earners - high achievers.

The post has some redundancy built in.

That's a point of view! But it's a mistake IMHO to assume that high achievers with excess brain power and excess cash will be successful traders. Perhaps we should go back to the OP in a couple of years time and ask what he thinks then?

As a further thought: I understand perfectly what you're saying and for the seasoned trader (or somebody who's got so much money he doesn't know what to do with it) your comments are, as I previously said, excellent. But as a successful trader myself I can say that my PC setup (as far as trading is concerned) is the least important component of my strategy. Okay – I'm not doing high-speed trading or anything very fancy with my now middle-aged Intel I-5 WIN10 PC, but it's only doing the same job as it was with Win 7 or XP. Whereas my PC doesn't really do anything more than it used to a few years ago, my trading expertise has been improving all the time and that's where trading success lies, in my book.

 

[NVP]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie - first post. Currently in a high powered job but craving escape into a world of autonomous day trading. Have set myself a 3 year plan to learn, learn, learn and learn some more. I'm reading the books...but realising that they lack context without being able to track the market, watch the charts etc. So, I'm looking to buy a trading PC setup. Then, a dummy account.

Question: I'm an Apple Mac user but I assume PC windows is the way to go. Any tips on the gear I'll need and easy route into it?

Cheers!!

Paul

get a half decent new lappy for 2-300 quid ....then plug it into a 30"+ TV

thats minimum........next is buy another laptop and TV combo to run your trade entries seperate to your charts ....... then add more TV's ........as 2 is never enough once you want more charts

N

 

[NVP]

The OP describes himself as high powered employed.

Hence - "Suggestions toward a high powered budget."

The high powered employed are commonly high achievers.

High powered achievers have excess brain power.

High powered earners have excess cash power.

From the stand point of the high powered earner - high achiever your comment is false economy.

Besides the OP high powered earner - achiever the post is intended towards other high powered earners - high achievers.

The post has some redundancy built in.

sorry - whats your point again ? .....i'm lost ..perhaps its becasue im not a high powered achiever ?

 

[NVP]

Exactly, trading can be done using a normal PC however if anyone making huge bulk of profits then they may switch to any of their dream brands.

whats a dream brand ? ........a cheap and cheerful Asus has always done me ..ive watched £10,000 Laptops burn out at times

N

 

[NVP]

Excellent advice for the serious high-tech PC user. But if the OP is just starting out on trading I'd suggest that he reserves all his brainpower (and money) for his trading apprenticeship. As somebody has already said, any entry-level PC or family cast off would be good enough while you're learning. Once your trading is making loads of dosh, buying a fancy PC – if you really need one – won't be a problem.

agreed ..........when i was lucky enough to afford what i wanted i just told the bloke down the PC shop to sort it out for me ......leave me to focus on trading :smart:

 

[Phylo]

sorry - whats your point again ? .....i'm lost ..perhaps its becasue im not a high powered achiever ?

My rule is not to waste time responding to commentary.

Today, a persistent and debilitating migraine and a broken rule.

The referenced post - as per rule - should not have been posted.

Your question, rhetorical or not, is thus ignored.

 

[p0box4]

tradingview.com is good for charting.
Since a few weeks i even prefer it over the charts of my trading software.

 

[Aiman]

woow i definately need to ugprade mine jajaja

 

[Phylo]

If you have one of these (HDD)

You can easily upgrade to one of these (SSD) on the existing motherboard

But don't waste money on one of these (hybrid SSD/HDD)

Upgrading to one of these

is more complex and would probably require a new motherboard - further research required.

 

[sminicooper]

If you have one of these (HDD) You can easily upgrade to one of these (SSD) on the existing motherboard.

Good suggestion! I swapped out my OS "C" hard drive for a relatively small and inexpensive SSD and it makes a significant difference in start-up and program access times. Easy and quick to do, and automatically leaves you with a backup image on your old hard drive.