Help with multi monitor setup

DallasCowboysFan said:
BTW, what kind of connection do you have ....... every one talks about computers but I wonder what kind of download speed everyone has...15 Mbps here..... $40 month.
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Depending on type of trading, Download speed isn't as important as Latency (Latency to Exchange/Broker)

Swing Traders don't need speed at all, 55k baud modem would be sufficient

Point & Click traders Latency becomes a bit more important - but most any hi-speed connection should suffice, ADSL, Cable, Fiber

Automated/Algo traders may benefit from co-located low latency connections

Non trading related download speeds become increasingly important with cloud based programs, data storage, media streaming, etc...

I enjoy excellent Bandwidth and Latency to local server ~ 950 Mbps down 250 Mbps down
(but this doesn't help in Latency to Chicago)
Monthly cost ~ € 40

ofc, I am sure some feel this is exorbitant and prefer to steal their neighbors bandwidth...
 
DallasCowboysFan said:
But sometimes you have to spend money to make money.
What if you depend on a cheap laptop but you have to go back and forth to open and close several windows and miss opportunities?

Or your computer is working overtime and it takes a week to refresh a page?

I guess it depends on your starting point, but it's not unusual to spend 20,30 percent more on your IT equipment and get 50,100 percent more performance.

That's not unreasonable if it's going to last you 3,4 years.

BTW, what kind of connection do you have ....... every one talks about computers but I wonder what kind of download speed everyone has...15 Mbps here..... $40 month.
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It all depends on what way you are going to trade, and how often.

Laptops are not designed for continuous use, as the heat problem is very hard to resolve - the most reliable laptops are ones designed for business use, namely, IBM thinkpads.

If daytrading stocks, then I think trying to do so on a laptop is not a good idea. $300 to $400 will buy some very good hardware, that will give you 5 monitor outputs - like my setup.

However, the amount of monitors can be best limited to what is actually required - I have my setup down to 4, but am now trying out a new setup with just 2, as mentioned with one 50" cinema tv, which has a PC mode setting that makes the screen like a DVI monitor - with better contrast.

Speed - again, it all depends on what way you decide to trade. I have a 5 Mb download and 1 Mb upload via a wireless provider (40 millisec latency)- no issues at all with IB TWS, and also have internet access on my mobile phone in case wireless provider breaks down. I also have a small UPS to give bout 30 min power backup - have 2 actually, one on the wireless modem ( which also powers my cctv system) and one for the trading PC and monitors.

There is absolutely no need to spend loads of money on hardware and connection - much better to keep it for trading!

Even all the software is free - providing you have no issues with moral or legal stuff - which I couldn't care less about:D

J_S
 
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Gary Lynn said:
Hi John,

As I was saying many thanks for your 1st hand, comprehensive response.

I like your idea of three duals from eBay like you mentioned,

would not be out much if it failed.

I copied and pasted your post will study in greater detail.


Mnay thanks, Gary
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I will check the ones I bought when I get a chance and let you know make (they were very small money secondhand). Keep an eye out for the Dell MMH11, as they are very hard to pick up secondhand - very handy piece of kit with a display port output, which nearly all good graphics cards have now - instantly gives you 3 monitors where you had one ( one display port to 3 x DVI ouputs).

The hardest part is the software - you need to get a good clean install with no viruses. As mentioned, if you want to use Ninjatrader (older version) for live trading, then use Win7 on PC, or multi boot software on your hard drive when setting up if you want Win 10 as well.

Once you get it right once, it is easy peasy do it again - but be preapred for a few fuks when doing it the first time - same as when starting out trading:D

J_S
 
Thanks again John,

As I originally mentioned I ran 2 Quadro NVS 450 without issue for 3 years on Win 7 Pro,

Not until I upgraded to Win 10 Pro did I start having problems, I could only run 5th and 6th off second card,

Now I am down to 4 last year or so. Been thinking about formatting hard drive and do clean install Win7, but so much work and may lose couple old application no longer supported.

Your right, originally when I setup 4-5 years ago it took a little tweeting to get it right with 2 cards, (8) monitors but ran flawlessly 3 years, until Win10 upgrade.
When you get it right don't F.. with anything, lesson learned.

My desk is setup for 8 monitors and I really miss the other 4 monitors in real time, even though only trade Emini’s 14 years . I use multi intraday charts in multi time frames, 4M , 16M, 60M I often use 2-3 (4M’s ) with different geometries .

I7-950, Asus x-58 Sabertooth, 16 Mem, 2 quad Nvs 450. with Ensign, & IB Platform

Gary
 
Gary, with the cost of stuff now very cheap secon hand on ebay, it is possible to have 1 or 2 backup PC's, ready to go in case anything happens.

I have just setup 2 external hard drive bays to clone my hard drives on SSD's, and keep a backup on 2 normal 250Gb hard drives - have loads of normal hard drives lying around.

Good monitors are essential in my opinion - as you need the clearest image you can get for charts - it is like looking at a painting, in that some are worth a lot of money, and some worth only the cost of the material they are painted on.

Money is made from good trading decisions - good clear charts help greatly in making good trading decisions - far more important is the clarity and colors, than what is added to the charts - which is why I have what I have on my 50" screenshot.

J_S
 
Well here is the 50" philips widescreen tv - clarity is exceptional, and very happy with the space on the big chart, as I can now drop on a few excel tables without interfering with the nice picture:)

That is a dell 20.1" widescreen flipped on the right.

Mobile phone pic is not great, but screen clarity is exceptional - looking forward to testing this out.

J_S

Screen Shot 08-28-16 at 07.28 PM.PNG
 
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J_Smith said:
Well here is the 50" philips widescreen tv - clarity is exceptional, and very happy with the space on the big chart, as I can now drop on a few excel tables without interfering with the nice picture:)

That is a dell 20.1" widescreen flipped on the right.

Mobile phone pic is not great, but screen clarity is exceptional - looking forward to testing this out.

J_S

View attachment 166258
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Dear gosh J, that screen looks neat az.
 
DallasCowboysFan said:
Holy cow, a 50 inch monitor is serious business........!

BTW, I never considered latency....that's a good consideration.
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Yes..if speed is a requirement (which it is not for most) use your "ping" and "tracert" to see the bottlenecks between your pc and your broker's server - if you have many "hops" along the way they are all potential speed issues. I am no expert, but any good IT fella will tell you the best way to get around these issues, as in the best providers to use with minimal "hopping".

The 50" - yeh, something I have wanted to try for a good while, but I foolishly gave a loan of my tv to someone nearly 4 years ago, and had a job getting it back, but now I have it back I will not let it go again:rolleyes:

The big picture does really make a difference - it is more a psychological thing, and as trading is 90% psychological, it makes perfect sense - well, that is the plan, let's see how it actually works in real life - so far I am very happy with just 2 screens - can not get much simpler than this:D

J_S

Screen Shot 08-29-16 at 11.28 AM.PNG


for those who are not great at MS dos - what is that most will say:D - here is exactly how to do it.

http://www.chasms.com/chasms1/howdoi/ping_tracert/ping_tracertW7.htm
 
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