4000 $ trading workstation

[halcyon]

What is the 8Gb of RAM for? He will never use much more than 2Gb. A trader machine shouldn't cost much over $1000K. In fact buy a tower Dell and add the multi display solution and you may come in under $1K.

He may decide to use Vista. We do not know. Regardless, I would not buy a new Windows-based PC for a professional application and only put 2GB of RAM in it...unless I was dead set on Windows XP 32-bit and fiscally limited.

A 6-monitor desktop with high resolutions can take some RAM, its not all off-loaded to the video cards. I'd recommend he go 64-bit something and get more than enough RAM. RAM is cheap, there's not benefit to limiting himself. He's willing to spend $4K on a top-of-the-line PC.

It seems like the F-41X from TradingComputers.Com might be close to the kind of power the customer WANTS, once customized. It may be more than he needs, but he's not limited to just what he needs, thankfully.

I know that if I asked someone to build me a computer and they gave me one with 2GB of RAM back I'd not be too impressed. If I told someone I had a budget of $4K for a super strong machine and asked them to build me a high-end rig and came back with a $1000 build, I'd be skeptical and unimpressed...unless the $1K machine offered the same or superior performance to to the $4K machine.

Everyone doesn't want an Econo or even Mid-Range build. Some people want the high-end, especially those with $$$$, just because its the high-end.

I wouldn't be surprised if the customer can partially, or even totally, write-off this equipment on their taxes.

 

[KyleSTL]

AMD Phenom 9950 BLACK EDITION 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 140W Quad-Core Processor - $235
GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX Ultra Durable II AMD Motherboard - $125
2 x CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - $280
Antec Sonata Plus 550 Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $180
3 x PNY VCQ290NVS-PCIEX1-PB Quadro4 NVS290 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x1 - $420

Total - $1240

 

[KyleSTL]

Everyone doesn't want an Econo or even Mid-Range build. Some people want the high-end, especially those with $$$$, just because its the high-end.

I wouldn't be surprised if the customer can partially, or even totally, write-off this equipment on their taxes.

Then do something useful with the extra $$$ like step up to [6] 24" or [4] 30" monitors, instead of wasting money on [6] 1440x900 20" LCDs.

 

[halcyon]

Then do something useful with the extra $$$ like step up to [6] 24" or [4] 30" monitors, instead of wasting money on [6] 1440x900 20" LCDs.

Amen to that. I love having 1 x 30". 4 x 30" would be ...luxurious.

 

[njalterio]

"Yes, the scaling is taken from ONE card, so it has to run the final resolution of the four monitors. That's why the best idea is to use crossfire, then take that one output through the Matrox solution.

If the 4870X2 has four DVI (or HDMI) outputs then indeed all can be used at once - but not in Crossfire I'm guessing. "

2 will be in mobo with 8 dvi outputs. can i just plug the monitors in to the crossfire setup? or is another solution necessary?

Yes you can just plug the monitors into the DVI outputs.

I still can't believe someone is actually doing this...lol

 

[halcyon]

Kyle, why would the customer be best served to go with a Phenom? The customer doesn't seem to need to penny pinch.

 

[fugben]

http://www.tradingcomputers.com/TCdesktop.html
An acceptable computer starts at like 2 k $ on that site.
My friend prefers 20 inch monitors because 24 inch monitors are hard for him to focus on and gives him eye strain. I found the LGs as pretty much the best for the $ 20 inchers with free delivery.

I also got a stand setup that comes with it for vertical visualisation.
So im actually only spending 2 k on the PC and 2.5 k on the monitors, stand and setup.

 

[geofelt]

For a trading system, you want lots of display acerage. Six 20" monitors at 1680x1050 is 1.764m pixels each, or a total of 10.584m pixels.

As an alternative, may I suggest three 30" monitors at 2560x1600 each, for a total of 12m pixels. The Samsung305T is a great unit for this. Attach the center(gaming) monitor to a reasonably strong video card(if he wants to game) and the two side monitors to a lesser card. All you need is a mobo with at least 2 pci-e slots.



I am not much of an AMD cpu supporter these days. I think an Intel 45nm quad will run faster and cooler.

Keep the 300gb velociraptor. It is noticeably faster. If you need more storage, or for backup, then add a large, slower drive.

Onboard HD sound is very good these days. Sound cards have been troublesome. Unless he has a very good set of speakers, a separate sound card is a waste.

4gb should be enough, but at current prices, why not get 8gb. It can only help.

Wireless is never as fast as a direct cable connect. Use a router with wireless N if you need to connect with a laptop or such. A router will also be somewhat more secure.

I don't know about that case, and particularly the PSU. For stability, don't skimp on the PSU. Excepting Antec, I am distrustful of the quality of any PSU included with a case.

Look for a quiet case. Look at www.silentpcreview.com for quiet computing issues. The Antec P182 would be a good quiet case.

I might suggest the addition of a TV tuner card to monitor live news feeds.
Vista Home Premium and Ultimate can support them with the media center application.

 

[geofelt]

The pixel size on most monitors is about the same, eyestrain will not differ much. A larger monitor just gives you more of them. There are some exceptions, the Samsung 275T 27" is a 1920x1200, but it has a larger pixel size. I have also read good reviews of the SOYO 26" 1920x1200 monitor marketed by officemax. I had a bit of trouble with my 305T at native resolution, and changed. In this case, he might be well served with 4 of them which will display about the same amount of information as 6 20" monitors.

 

[KyleSTL]

Kyle, why would the customer be best served to go with a Phenom? The customer doesn't seem to need to penny pinch.

Memory bandwidth and access times. Intel's current FSB greatly limits these two very crucial needs for workstation systems (and I'd count trading as workstation use).

24 inch monitors are hard for him to focus on and gives him eye strain

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. 20" at 1680x1050 (which the LG you listed is) has a smaller dot pitch than 24" at 1920x1200. Why not give 25.5", 26" or 27" a try? Usually people complain of eye strain because of a dot pitch being too small. Please elaborate.

Also, I think you should do a HDD config of 2 x VelociRaptors in RAID 0 and [1-2] WD6400AAKS drives for other data and backup. Data access time is very important in that line of work, and the VRs should be worth their weight in gold.

 

[KyleSTL]

For reference:

20" @ 1680 = 0.258 dot pitch
22" @ 1680 = 0.282
24" @ 1920 = 0.27
25.5/26" @ 1920 = 0.287
27" @ 1920 = 0.303
28" @ 1920 = 0.309
30" @ 2560 = 0.25

 

[geofelt]

Right on, Kylestl. I don't think memory bandwidth is very important for the Intel core procesors, though.

Do you know of any 2560x1600 monitors that are larger than 30"? ie; with a larger pixel size than 0.25?

 

[Nik_I]

all i have to say is that the computer outlined above will not be used anywhere near its potential...

 

[Shadow703793]

You don't need a really high powered PC to do stock trading.

PC to do trading:
Q6600 (providing you are also running analyst software)
P45-DS3L or better motherboard
8800GS(~$80-90) to run 2 LCDs
500GB+ HDD(s) possibly in RAID
Basic case with some quiet fans (ie Yate Loon or Scyth fans)
Corsair 450/550 (NEVER SKIMP ON PSU!)
A quiet HSF

@OP: What ever you do don't get that Okia 680W PSU.

 

[WR2]

He is completely wrong. Crossfire supports multiple monitors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATI_CrossFire#Comparisons_to_NVIDIA_SLI

[:wr2:4] The support is built in but the drivers and implementation are suspect.
Read this review: The Dual-screen prejudice http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-4850-and--4870-crossfirex-performance/8

ASUS SILENT MAGIC Radeon HD 3650 512MB Get 3 of these and invest the other $300+ in stock for a wise investment. Add another $20-30 savings in needing a less powerful PSU.
[:wr2:2] Besides helping quiet the system the power savings over a year's use is probably worth an extra share of stock as well.

 

[KyleSTL]

Sorry to revive a dead thread, but I'm curious to see where this ended up. What's the status FugBen?

 

[thurst0n]

Ive suggested a matrox card to him (128 mb) but he doesnt like the idea at all and wants to go for 2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121247
my problem is how do i get 6 displays working on 2 of those?
i cant argue with the customer but fit a system that works on what he wants.

Thanks

You're right you can't argue with the customer, and you must give the customer what he wants. If he is your friend like you said then you should be able to tell him he's wrong about what he wants and thinks he needs. I agree with everyone here your original system specs are overkill. If he really wants to pay for a 3870x2 then by all means let him, but why would he want to waste money? If he can get the same thing done for significantly less why wouldn't he want to do that.
I'm assuming he doesn't have much computer knowledge and that's why he came to you for advice. Be a GOOD friend and lead him in the right direction. If all he's doing is basic office tasks and trading stocks he will be more than happy with a system much less powerful than the one you laid out. It is your job as the tech guy to make him understand that his needs are easily met with less money.
You could probably put the 3870x2 in the budget, not put it in the computer use it for yourself and he would never know. Like i said though, be a GOOD friend and dont let him waste $$.

 

[fugben]

I built the system 2 weeks ago. Except for some minor hiccups i got everything up and running great.

Even slightly overclocked the processor

 

[fugben]

My friend is really happy with the system. Let me mention he wanted the x2s so he could do some gaming on the side.

I told him as it is configured now he can just use one card. But that should be plenty to play CSS

 

[KyleSTL]

Sounds like AMD/ATI got some much needed funds from the sale of two X2s. Glad it has worked out for him. Did you stay with the 6 x 1680*1050 monitors (20")?

 

[fugben]

yes. and he bought a dell 30 inch to play games on

 

[halcyon]

yes. and he bought a dell 30 inch to play games on

Ah, I do like my Dell 30". Your friend's a happy camper, I'd imagine.