Late to the party, I know, but when I was starting out I read a ton of old threads on this topic because, as poster correctly points out, the content online covering this topic is damn thin. This only makes sense, obviously.... I mean, most gaming setups are well under 10 grand, yet I've never (ever) met a trader whether still in the game or not (look for 5 gal jerry can nearby and thousand yard stare to ID former traders) who didnt drop 10k - entire account for most - at first attempt - usually wrapping up within 3-4 months. Myself included, though I think it was 2.5 mos. Anyone with the backbone, bloodymindedness and mind-less-ness to carry on, to a man, will tell you this was very important experience, that it was an invaluable education. Me?Dunno 'bout that, looks to me it cost 10 grand! Anyway, yes you want as much speed as possible for given situation, but it is critical to understand that your speed is to be spent on - well - speed. You want your charts as fast as poss, and you want orders in quickly. To that end myself personally with my first trading computer I ordered up support for 8 charts from specialty shop, indiv card for each, intel 3946k, decent system SSD then upgraded system drive to ssung 840pro, 16gb quad chnnl ram (i think, was 16gb anyway) yet I found the speed penalty for monitors 7 and 8 were not worth what they gave me - and I watch and trade 14 different futures instruments all day, so charting and scanning were critical. In the end I shuffeled some charting and all scans to second computer. (alienware m18x r1) and found this a huge improvement, esp what computer went down and I had decent backup locked and loaded already in form of the Alienware (which is also my traveling computer) Hate me for it but I moved to Europe couple years ago and with such good cell netwrks avail I drive all over the outrageously beautiful italian coastlines, stay in Paris a week or two, take the family skiing in winter, go sailing, and when a trade lines up for me I'm there to push the button or oversee my automated algos, and make money while on permenent vacation. Knock a trade out of the park and hey, stay another week in the hotel, etc. So my point is that flexibility is very important. But when I was buying forst computer for trading I thought in terms of as many monitors I could afford and all on one machine. I scalped a lot then, still do some but having larger account has pointed me towards intraday swing trades that, when they line up, move just slow enough that when i take the alert on my phone I can sit down or set up quickly and sit down, and pull off the trade. So this is just a bit of wisdom that you might want to pass along. Remember even today's equip slows down, esp with trading when using level 2 data, volumes and finer detail, and so it pays to offload every task but the incoming data crunching, to another machine, a machine that will one day (soon) need to step in to relief pitch. Hey, one good trade buys a kickass computer and as such i believe it's advantageous to consider their expense as a consumable, just like staples and pens. Use 'em up, have extras ready to go. The really, really important computer is between your ears. PS, dont worry, I have MS and is pretty serious disability lately so I just count my lucky stars I can support my family now, have a great time with them now, and when I'm gone will have left enough behind to keep taking good care of my 2 girls and wife, even my parents. If I can pull it off I think most can - it's just like a pro sport, perform or get sent to the farm team. It is performance based, you cant just show up some days qand floart around b/c you dont feel well or not into working. Sports star has a bad day and it makes his agent's job a bit tougher, but he doesnt have to return a chunk of his salary every bad game like I do!