Financial Workstation

profssrfink

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Hey Guys,

I'm in the process of pricing out a brand new system. I have a budget of about $1500-$2000. I am an options trader and use a few programs simultaneously to make trades. I currently run Tradestation (not too demanding on my current system), and I also run a program called Stockfinder from Worden. This software, when running one of my multi layout windows, just rips up my current systems (Core 2 duo, 3GB ram, Gforce 8400 512mb). I mean grinds it to a halt until its fully loaded, and then proceed to run my cpu at about 50-70% load on a continuous basis. So its obvious I need to move up in the world of computing power. I have been torn between the i7 2600k and the i7 960. I have also been torn on what kind of video card to get. Im leaning heavily towards nVidia with the Cuda cores. I dont want to shell out for a Quadro (1700 bucks is too much), but I was thinking of doing a 560 Ti SLI setup. I also want to add between 8-12 GB ram. I figured with this setup I shouldn't have problems rendering charts and active watch list scans while executing trades. Does anyone have any ideas as to what system I should go with and if these GeForce cards will provide any benefit to a trader's workstation? Keep in mind also When these programs are running I have over 2000 simultaneous threads running, so having a bandwidth friendly system is critical. Also keep in mind that unless overclocking substantially increases computing capacity, I favor system stability/reliability over the marginal increase in speed (no...frame rates in a game are completely irrelevant).

I have also been looking at Xeon workstation chips, but it has been about 7 years since I have built a system, and I cant make out which chips do what these days. So if that is a solution that fits the budget then please include it.

Thanks guys I appreciate the help.

- P
 

profssrfink

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Sure:

Approximate Purchase Date: (within 3 months)


Budget Range: ($1500 - 2000)


System Usage from Most to Least Important: (Financial workstation: Options trading, live news streaming, live bloomberg tv streaming, live chatting/email, simultaneous web surfing (news and videos), live music streaming, Solitaire:p)


Parts Not Required: none


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: ( newegg.com, Tiger direct, frozencpu. Whatever is the best for dealing with issues.)


Country of Origin: ummm...only the greatest in the world


Parts Preferences: Intel, Nvidia or ATI (which ever is better for this application)


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Monitor Resolution: (1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200)


Additional Comments: The case should look professional. I don't need lights or for it to look like a magazine clip in a video game. Black, runs COLD, runs efficient. I make money with these machines, it should look like it.

Thanks!!
 

cgleckman

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CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512

GPU: EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $254.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

SSD: Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

PSU:CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply 134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

Heatsink (optional, unless your OCing the heatsink that comes with your CPU should be fine):COOLER MASTER Hyper N 520 RR-920-N520-GP 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Intel Core i7 compatible $33.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057

Case:NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Steel / Plastic Enthusiast ATX Full Tower Computer Case $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068

DVD Drive: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM $20.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Total: ~1150 pretax/shipping..

I know you said your budget was 1500 but this will do everything you need and more without a problem and it leaves you some money to get monitors or anything else you may need.


Also you could upgrade the SSD to

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC128MAG-1G1 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348

This will add $160 dollars to the build
 

cgleckman

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Hmm maybe, but at the same time I trade Forex, stocks, etc and I run a system much less powerful with no problems. I am not exactly 100% as to how hyper threading works so I cant comment for certain. If someone else would like to give a brief explanation as to why hyper threading would be good here I would be all ears.


 

amk-aka-Phantom

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BTW, he clearly said:

Additional Comments: The case should look professional. I don't need lights or for it to look like a magazine clip in a video game. Black, runs COLD, runs efficient. I make money with these machines, it should look like it.

So, as much as I like NZXT Phantom, he needs a different case (IMO, the whole "professional" thing is silly... but whatever he wants).
 

cgleckman

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You know its actually reasonably hard to find a good case with no lighting, however the case I posted allows him the option to turn off the lights. Hence making it look professional

Newegg: ADDITIONAL ADVANCED FEATURES
Further distinct features include an LED on/off button to control fan lighting, rubber PSU and case feet to reduce vibration, easily removable front and top panels, and top mounted USB, Audio/Mic, and E-SATA ports.
 

amk-aka-Phantom

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Doesn't the Phantom come with the front fans? I'd definitely get them, if not... no intake = poor exhaust...
 

cgleckman

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cgleckman

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Ya, theres the option. I just read through the reviews, some say it doesnt come with fans but most say that you get 4 fans with it. Doesnt say what size.. Im assuming all 4 are 120 or a mix of 120 and 200mm fans since the case supports it
 

profssrfink

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Sweet system guys. Yea I'm not too keen on the value of the hyperthreading. So the i5 could be a good value. From a memory standpoint 8 gb seems to be plenty. Perhaps more later. I like the obsidian series cases although I do keep looking at the nzxt case.

Can't complain about the rest Of the system. Ive been lookig at almost every one of those parts as possibilities. My main concern was the mb. I was going to go with an asrock z68, but I keep running into the gigabyte board on the forums.

Thanks again guys. It someone could explain hyperthreading then I guess I could discern between the i5 and i7. But everythig else is great. Thanks again.
 

cgleckman

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Hyperthreading from what I know, basically takes a core and virtually duplicates it into 2 and then shares the work load. This increases processing speed and work time however I cant imagine its incredibly noticeable but it might be. Need someone who has tested both to respond to know for sure.
 

amk-aka-Phantom

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Easy... hyperthreading turns each physical core of the CPU into 2 virtual ones. So my i7-2600 is recognized to have 8 core although it only has 4. However, that'll only help if your programs are made to actually use all 8 cores, and virtual cores aren't as good as physical cores, AFAIK. I think an i5-2500K should be enough for you...
 

cgleckman

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LOL you were the one that said to go with the i7-2600 and started this whole convo >< :pt1cable: