Building your own trading computer

Bolimomo · Jan 9, 2011

Quote from Went Fishing:

As I said, "I've taken the side cover off my old computer twice (except for cleaning), both times were to add memory."

But this time is may be different though.

I remember using an e-machine which had 128MB of RAM when it started. And subsequently adding 128MB, and replacing both with 2 x 256MB... SIMMS - before DIMMS.

Heck I remember my first computer, Apple II+, bought 1981, had only 64K of memory. 64 "Kay" while today "Mag" is thing of the past... we are in "Gig" and soon into the "Tee".

See these things go in an exponential progression - the power two - not linear. If you go into an auction... and if each time you bid, you double your previous bid price I think you would scare off other bidders quickly.

But of course... Microsoft and others always find ways to hog up all the available memories... from playing Pong and using Visacalc and hooking up your music keyboard via a MIDI interface to now storing 12Mpixel family pics and 256kbps MP3 songs and editing/burning your 1080p family vacation video blu-ray discs. For trading though... maybe I will develop a new indicator based on Bollinger Bands - squareroot of a summation series of the number squared - to the thousandth lookback... LOL

Or perhaps run a neural network.

Went Fishing · Jan 9, 2011

Quote from Bolimomo:

maybe I will develop a new indicator based on Bollinger Bands - squareroot of a summation series of the number squared - to the thousandth lookback...

Now that's what I'm talking about !!

and PONG of course........

Went Fishing · Jan 17, 2011

Here's my parts list, except for ... the OS

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Processor

MSI 890FXA-GD70 AM3 Motherboard

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) Memory Model

Crucial 64GB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Western Digital 640GB 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive

SAMSUNG DVD Burner

Rosewill Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Rosewill 630W 80 PLUS Certified, PSU

4 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 295 Video Cards

I have all the components now and assembly should be within the week. I bought everything except the video cards from Newegg. With discounts on almost everything, free shipping, (1) rebate and a gift card Newegg included on one purchase, I'm well under my (let's do it for) $1000 budget ($872.00).

I heeded the suggestion Scataphagos has given so many times and watched ebay for the video cards. I found a seller who bought several new computers and removed the new unused NVS 295's and replaced them with something different. I bought 4 cards @ $15.00 ea. +$5.00 S&H $80.00 total. They came with 1 adapter each, so I can hookup the 4 monitors I'm currently using. So less the OS I'm at $952.00.

Thanks, Scataphagos your suggestions on this thread and others, saved me a bundle of $$$, again thank you.

Thank you, Bolimomo, your insight and responses to my posts caused me to seek further knowledge of almost every component.

Scataphagos · Jan 17, 2011

Quote from Went Fishing:

"... I heeded the suggestion Scataphagos has given so many times and watched ebay for the video cards. I found a seller who bought several new computers and removed the new unused NVS 295's and replaced them with something different. I bought 4 cards @ $15.00 ea. +$5.00 S&H $80.00 total. They came with 1 adapter each, so I can hookup the 4 monitors I'm currently using.

Looks like you got a proper mobo and the rest at the right price. Your deal on the 4, NVS 295s is better than I've done on most of mine.

If you want to run more than 4 monitors, you'll need more DVI-DP adapters... should be able to get them for about $6-$7 each, or better... (HP has a particularly good model) or DVI-DP video cables (or DP-DP if your mointors have DP port)... Monoprice.com usually has the best prices.

With DP cable, you can run 30", monitors... 2560x1600 res, single-link. With DVI-DP adapter, max res is 1920x1200.

LEAPup · Jan 17, 2011

Love this thread!

Scat and bolimomo gave me ideas when I built my 8 monitor set up with their help, and saved me around $2,500

Ooh rah!

Scataphagos · Jan 17, 2011

Quote from LEAPup:

Love this thread!

Scat and bolimomo gave me ideas when I built my 8 monitor set up with their help, and saved me around $2,500

Ooh rah!

Sounds about right. Noob traders often fall for the "turnkey trading computer" deal and pay waaayyyyy too much.

LEAPup · Jan 17, 2011

Quote from Scataphagos:

Sounds about right. Noob traders often fall for the "turnkey trading computer" deal and pay waaayyyyy too much.

I've said it before, you and Bolimomo need to go into business together!

You both have talent in this area, and could be a REAL turn key service where you make a profit, and the buyer saves a good bit of $$$$ vs. Companies like Falcon, etc.,

Here's your pitch: "Quality hardware built by Traders for Traders who, unlike our competitors know price, and appreciate value."

Scataphagos · Jan 17, 2011

Quote from LEAPup:

I've said it before, you and Bolimomo need to go into business together! You both have talent in this area, and could be a REAL turn key service where you make a profit, and the buyer saves a good bit of $$$$ vs. Companies like Falcon, etc.,

Here's your pitch: "Quality hardware built by Traders for Traders who, unlike our competitors know price, and appreciate value."

A "great business" is one with high markup and low/no competition. Computers and components are commodities... little to be made even if you work your ass off on high volume.

If all the traders understood this, firms like Falcon and TradingComputers wouldn't have any business.

Went Fishing · Jan 17, 2011

Quote from Scataphagos:

... Monoprice.com usually has the best prices.
With DP cable, you can run 30", monitors... 2560x1600 res, single-link. With DVI-DP adapter, max res is 1920x1200.

Thanks for the Monoprice.com link, My monitors are 23" HD ,,, I've been looking for DP/male to HDMI/male 10 foot cables ...... I followed your link and there they were ... best price I've seen anywhere.

Grazie!

Bolimomo · Jan 17, 2011

Quote from Went Fishing:

.....
With discounts on almost everything, free shipping, (1) rebate and a gift card Newegg included on one purchase, I'm well under my (let's do it for) $1000 budget ($872.00).

You are killing me with your pick list and total price. $872... that is already including a 64K SSD and a 500GB drive, better performance than my i7-930. I need to follow your list if I build a third box.

LOL on the video cards. The DP cables may cost more than the cards themselves!

That brought me a little pet peeve: (hey... this is my thread!

)

- Why is a saddle costs more than a horse?
- Can buy a 100W+ subwoofer for $200-$300, but the subwoofer cable is $80?
- A 23" LCD monitor could be had for ~>$150... and a monitor stand/arm $100?
- A color printer is FREE. Replacement cartridge... only $50...?

Yeah I agree with Scat... those trading computer makers sure know their customers.