To build or rent....and what to get?

S

SideShowBob

I need to replace my "trading" PC (which I leave running automated trading systems during the day currently but I plan to run 24x7). When I got it hyperthreading was the latest thing, now it's quad CPUs.

The PC will need to be able to handle concurrently:

- Running a SQL Server "Express" database (local access only -- used to store price ticks)
- Tradestation with about 10 charts
- IB's TWS
- an app to store ticks
- 1 or 2 trading apps
- remote access via terminal services

Currently the CPU is a ~2 GHZ Intel chip with hyperthreading. It's usually fine but I've had times where I needed to run a huge update query during the day and the lights dimmed :( I want a machine that can handle that without going over 50% CPU utilization.

Some questions I hope people can weigh in on (I'm looking for opinions):

- is it worth the added cost to get a quad core? I'd go with the AMD version which is really two dual core CPUs, I wouldn't pay double for a "true" quad core from Intel

- I also see "server" motherboards that will support two dual core opterons -- should they be considered?

- although I've built my share of PCs I would consider a place that builds it from components I select, and they deal with DOA components before I get it. Can anyone recommend a place that does this?

- Right now all the programs I run are 32bit -- but I plan to move to some of my own programs which could be compiled for a 64 bit OS. Should I consider getting the 64 bit version of XP assuming I won't be writing these apps for another year or two?

- Would it be worth "renting" a server from a company and installing my trading software there? From a cost perspective I don't think it would as it would be $200 per month to just get a decent machine versus a max of $2000 to build it.

Thanks for any suggestions, tips, or "avoid this like the plague" comments anyone can offer....

SSB
 
PCs are cheap enough that you don't need to rent anything. Scrap together a couple grand and buy a decent core 2 duo machine. It'll last you a good 5 or 6 years.

RoughTrader
 
I've had great success with mwave.com.

I would avoid renting your own server for trading purposes. I assume you have everything automated and applications/scripts running to parse data and execute orders based on the results? I assume all/most of this is custom programmed?

Get a SOHO (home / office) broadband connection and stick it in your finished basement. You'll have the best of both worlds there. Immediate access and a server/pc you built/customized yourself.

I've leased dedicated servers for web sites hosted by a number of different hosting companies over the years. Building your own is much better, unless all you are doing is hosting some sites with database access. Really, the more I think of it, I can't imagine why you would want to put your proprietary stuff out there.
 
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