Do you as a trader need a raid 0 or raid 1 system?

As a trader a raid system might be beneficial to you. We recommend two different systems.

There is the Raid 1 system where identical data is stored on two hard disks (100 percent redundancy). When one disk drive fails, all data is immediately available on the other without any impact of performance or data integrity. This is called "Disk Mirroring". This is typically used by day-traders who can't afford to have their system do down during the day due to a hard disk drive failure.

The Raid 0 system combines two hard disk drives in a way that the data coming from the user is cut into manageable blocks. There blocks are stripped across the different drives of the Raid 0 array. By doing this, two or more hard drives are combined and the read/write performance, especially for sequential acess can be improved. However no redunacy information is stored in a Raid O array, which means that if one drive fails, all data is lost. This type of system is used by backtesters who want the maximum speed to reduce the time of backtesting which can in many cases be several hours.

What is the best memory to use in a trading computer?

The Kingston Model # KHX6400D2LLK2/2G is the one of the fastest memory modules a trader can use for his computer. This is the only memory we now use in the Sonata Trading Computer.

This memory is HyperX PC2-6400 Low Latency memory, which is rated at 4-4-4-12. We use it in the Intel top of the line Intel 975 motherboard. This motherboard is actually called the BattleAx 2. What better name than for a fighting machine in the markets.











In our extensive tests of this memory had no errors after 5 loops set to the low latency setting of 4-4-4-12 2.0v.

This memory is stable, fast and has absolutely no clitches whatsoever. Good heat spreaders reduce the overheating of memory.

Kingston also has a lifetime warranty and excellent service.

This memory is 1GB per stick and they come in pairs only. The memory is matched, which is a necessity for multiple-monitor systems. Many traders find that using non matched memory can result in lock-ups. The Intel 975 motherboard we use has 4 memory slots. So you you get two GB of RAM you are going to populate two slots leaving 2 slots open for another 2GB or RAM or two more memory sticks.











How much memory does a trader need. In most cases 2GB of this RAM will take care of most traders using Windows XP. TradeStation can take advantage of 3 1/2GB of RAM in both Windows XP and VISTA. So if you need the maximum amount of RAM you can go with 4GB of RAM.

5) What is the best trading monitors to use for traders?

We favor the Samsung thin-edge monitors for Traders. They are VESA compatible and easily fit onto the Ergotron multiple monitor stands.

The reason we like them is that they are sharp and clear and have very good support. In most cases if one of the monitors goes out you can call Samsung and they will cross ship you a replacement. When you get the replacement just put the defective one in the same box and return it.

The monitors most popular with traders are these:



740BX The Samsung SyncMaster 740BX is a 17-inch TFT-LCD delivering a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300cd/m2 brightness, 1280 x 1024 resolution, 160/160 (HV) degree viewing angle and scanning frequency of 30-81kHz horizontal and 56-75Hz vertical. It features a height adjustable stand that also pivots and swivels.

RESOLUTION - 1280 x 1024 (max.)
PIXEL PITCH - 0.264mm
BRIGHTNESS - 300 cd/m2
CONTRAST RATIO- 1000:1
RESPONSE TIME - 5 ms (Gray to Gray)




940BX The Samsung SyncMaster 940BX is a 19-inch TFT-LCD monitor delivering crisp text and vivid colors.

RESOLUTION - 1280 x 1024 (max.)
PIXEL PITCH - 0.294mm
BRIGHTNESS - 300 cd/m2
CONTRAST RATIO- 1000:1
RESPONSE TIME - 5 ms (Gray to Gray)


204BBLACK SyncMaster 204B 20.1" TFT-LCD Display- Black finish

RESOLUTION - 1600 x 1200 (max.)
PIXEL PITCH - 0.255mm
BRIGHTNESS - 300 cd/m2
CONTRAST RATIO- 800:1
RESPONSE TIME - 5 ms (typical)

What video cards should I use for multiple-monitor trading?

Which video cards should you use for multiple-monitor trading depends on your motherboard, the size and number of monitors you are going to use.

First use only PCIE cards. They are 4 times faster than PCI and 2 times faster than AGP cards.

You must have a motherboard that supports PCIE cards.

We use the Intel 975 motherboard that has 3 PCIE slots.

That gives the the ability of using a combination of three cards to support up to 10 monitors.

So if you want a maximum of six monitors using 17, 19, 20 and and 24-inch monitors go with the GeForce 7600GS


7600GS

If you want up to 10 monitors use the NVS 285 and 440 cards that supports up to 24-inch monitors. Go with these cards.


NVS 440

If you want to used up to 4 monitors using screens up to 30-inches go with these cards:



7600 GT


7950GT

What is the Best Processor for eSignal?

The best processor to use with eSignal is the fastest one.

eSignal does not take advantage of multiple CPUs.

If you use PCMark 2005 - CPU to test CPU performance you get something like this:

(The higher the score the better)

Processor Performance
Athlon 64 X2 4800 4944
Core 2 Duo6400 5489
Pentium D 950 5705
Core 2 Duo6600 6168
Core 2 Duo6700 6841
Core 2 EX6800 7547
Athlon 64 FX74 7697
Core 2 QX6700 8607















The same goes with backtesting. That takes power.
Therefore it's best to go with the fastest processor.