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Re your list there is total 8GB DDR DAM ( 2 x 4GB ) in your workstation. Does it enough for a trading PC? especially when you are running several indicators in some charts at the same time?
I have no idea about this, but people always recommend me to have at least 16GB as trading task will occupy a lot of memory size.
I am running investor RT(very intensive memory wise) , my platform, market delta, alongwith a "few" chrome windows for twitter and chat and some other stuff such as music all with 16 GB and memory use never climbs more than 30%. I think for startup 8 GB should be ok -just make sure to get the max size you can given the slots for memory.(I see you are getting 2x4GB-is there a price difference for 8GB) I d look at min 4 memory slots on motherboard and then at least 4GB sticks. Here is a screenshot with everything running
Trading does not require much at all. Backtesting does. Running email, skype, those types of things wil push your computer harder than anything other than hardcore programs like Photoshop, Autocad, Camtasia.
I currently have 3 computers on my desk (and building a 4th). Here is what I know of the 3;
1) HP laptop running Windows Vista SP2, Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 2.1 GHz, 4GB factory RAM. This computer will bluescreen from low memory if I push it too hard, but that never has anything to sdo with trading after I changed from NinjaTrader to Sierra Chart. What will crash it is running Skype and Outlook Express. It will bluescreen once a week if I do not watch what programs are open.
2) Sony desktop running Windows XP Media Center SP3, Intel Pentium 4 3.4GHz, 2GB Crucial RAM. This desktop is like a tank. NEVER crashes. However, I do not run anything other than Sierra Chart. Side-by-side, this computer trades as well as both the other ones. I have tried using different data feeds with it, and nothing can stop this computer. I run up to 2 installations of Sierra with up to 20 charts per installation. And it is just as fast (for trading) as...
3) HP Elitebook running Windows 8.1 Pro, Intel Core i5, 6GB factory RAM.
So to me, as far as my live testing goes over the past 6 years, a single core processor with 2GB ram in a 2004 Sony is enough to trade yourself silly, using Sierra Chart. That 2GB machine runs 3 24" screens BTW.
My current build will also be a semi-dedicated (no connection to email or internet other than a data feed) trade box, so I stepped down a few notches. I may run Camtasia or Photoshop in off hours, but during trading nothing happens on that machine expect the trading platform. The elitebook is where I will do Skype, email, etc, and the other two will be sold or given away. I plan to increase the RAM in that machine to 8GB, maybe tonight. The new build will have 8GB ram in a 2x 4GB configuration at build time, not that it is needed, but ram is so cheap and that seems to be the best deal with two slots for a cheap upgrade to 16GB if I really need it, which I doubt.
This is basically the build. The case I bought local for $19.99 minus a $10off "parts week" coupon at Tiger Direct. The motherboad I bought for 84 after shipping. And I may do Patriot Viper Extreme memory, has a rebate locally which gets it down to 54.99 for 2x 4GB
The video cards will be x 2 initially, and the board holds 3.
Oh, and I bought an anti-static bracelet for $2.99. lol. And spent a LOT of time at TigerDirect the past few weeks.