How to Set up a Day Trading Computer

If you’re into day trading stocks, you might be wondering what it takes to be successful. By now, you may have realized that it’s nearly impossible to make a substantial profit from your iPhone. Perhaps, the first step to getting into the stock trading game is to set up a proper platform with an efficient day trading computer.

Generally, there are no clear rules as to what specifications you should seek for your trading machine. Moreover, you can experiment with the number of monitors. Ultimately, you’d want to have an excelling core system. It may give you an excellent foundation for further expansion. Still, that step is only the beginning of your small journey. Here’s a brief guide on how to set up a day trading computer.

What’s a day trading computer?

Firstly, it’s essential to understand the meaning of what is a trading PC. A day trading computer is any computer you can use for daily stock trading. Customizing your system can get as complex as you’d like. If you are getting serious about trading stockes, you should also upgrade your PC with time. Lagging laptop is stock traders worst nightmare. You can identify the areas of improvement by reading your laptop’s instruction manual first and then building up over time is the best strategy. For example, you can begin with one laptop or computer and one monitor. Later on, you can start adding more monitors, just for your PC to handle additional screens, you might need to add an additional RAM.

In general, you can stick with any gaming configuration. Such systems tend to have substantial amounts of memory paired with advanced graphics cards. These features make them great for day trading stocks. In reality, the system’s brand doesn’t make much of a difference, and you should focus on the specs. Besides, you should consider what would work best for you — a computer or a laptop.

If you like to move around the house while working, you may opt for a laptop. You may have to pay a little extra for that convenience, though. What’s more, laptops are generally harder to upgrade. If you buy a portable system, prepare yourself for a replacement in a few years. On the other hand, these portable computers are ideal for people who like multi-tasking. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the specifics on setting up a day trading machine.

Opt for a Load-Bearing Processor

By principle, any decent trading computer requires a processor that can process a large amount of information quickly. Most of the time, you’d have to operate with multiple application windows open at once. Usually, day trading programs stream large amounts of real-time data while you’re commencing lighting fast trades every second.

The two processes put a lot of load on your central processing unit (CPU). That’s why you should opt for a CPU with an excellent clock speed stats. Typically, the more gigahertz (GHz), the better performance. Ideally, you can start with a quad-core setup with 2.8 GHz in the least. The multiple cores will allow your CPU to process various tasks separately.

Make Sure You Have Enough RAM

Another essential part of your computer configuration is the random access memory (RAM). You’d want to have at least 8 GB of RAM. Still, 16 GB may prove to be far more efficient. Either way, you’d want to provide your system with sufficient short-term memory to run multiple processes at once.

Choose a Graphic Card Accordingly

Usually, choosing the right graphic depends on how many monitors you run at the same time. You can do well without splashing out on a high-end graphics card. However, running multiple windows or split screens may require more graphic processing units (GPU). Over time, you might consider upgrading, to something like the Nvidia RTX 3080 that will handle your future multiscreen set-up.

Hard Drives vs. SSDs

Standard hard drives typically provide enough data storage capacity. On the other hand, SSDs have better overall performance and much faster boot times. Solid-state drives have emerged relatively recently on the market. Still, they can be life-saving if your system happens to crash abruptly.

Choose High-Resolution Monitors

As previously mentioned, the number of monitors depends solely on your needs and preferences. They come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and mounting types. This feature allows day traders to personalize their workspace fully. However, you should choose your monitors according to their resolution. Perhaps, a high-resolution monitor would provide optimal clarity — exactly what you need for your day trading computer!

Furthermore, you’d want your monitors to display crisp, high-quality images. That’s why you should ensure they have a resolution of 1080p for the sharpest images possible. As long as you’re using monitors with HDMI, you’ll be able to process various tasks without issues quickly.

Use Diamond USB-to-HDMI Adapters

Whether you opt for a laptop or a computer for day trading stocks, consider buying diamond USB-to-HDMI adapters. They may seem costly at first (about $50 each), but you’ll be amazed at their functionality. They are a great alternative to standard video card adapters. Since laptops rarely have 8 USB ports, you can use a simple USB ports hub to connect to up to 10 USB devices.

Don’t Forget the Monitor Stands

Sometimes, people completely forget about monitor racks. In reality, they are a practical solution to monitors spreading over 6 feet. You can get a monitor rack and tilt your side displays towards the center for optimal visibility. Just make sure your stand has elbows.

Put Your Computer Together and Start Day Trading Stocks

Finally, you may want to take your time and browse around for gaming computers. Thanks to their popularity, you can get most of the specifications for a decent day trading computer. Generally, you may save some bucks if you buy all components separately. However, there are plenty of pre-made machines that can offer the same quality.

Originally published at https://www.namasteui.com on July 19, 2022.