Author Topic: Help Me Build A PC (Yes you heard that right.) (Read 2923 times)

tjanuranus · « **on:** September 07, 2011, 11:40:34 PM »

I've been getting more and more into trading stocks to the point where I am going to start day trading and I need to use windows to do it because the platform i'll be using is windows based. I have W7 on my mac in Parallels if i need it but I would really like to keep my mac separate and have a dedicated Windows machine just for trading stocks. The thing is I don't know anything powerful, in face I need the cheapest PC possible that will allow me to do this. I'm not going to do ANY other work on it. And I would need 2 monitors as well.

Any suggestions on the cheapest parts possible and monitors to be able to do this? I don't have much experience with building a PC.

SPNKr · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:42:23 PM »

get linux

Perpetual Change · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:42:35 PM »

Loves Mac.

Knows nothing about computers.

...Sorry, I just had to get that out there.

I'll stop my trolling/spamming now

tjanuranus · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:44:46 PM »

I've never had to build a computer before. I know about computers i'm in college for computer science. i know what the parts are, etc... I just don't know what the cheapest parts that would work are.

tjanuranus · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:45:23 PM »

Quote from: SPNKr on September 07, 2011, 11:42:23 PM

get linux

That defeats the whole purpose lol.

Sigz · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:49:00 PM »

I'd assume you really don't need anything super powerful to run that, what are the minimum requirements of the software?

Also, you'll need a dedicated graphics card if you want two monitors.

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:53:57 PM »

I haven't looked into building in a while, so I'm not up on exact parts.

But you'll probably only need an AMD processor (they have a lot of good stuff aimed towards the low end), minimum of 2Gb of RAM (although I highly doubt you'd need more than 4Gb for your purposes).
As Sigz said, you'll need a graphics card for two monitors, but it won't need to be anything high end (any old Gforce will probably have dual DVI).

SPNKr · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:55:59 PM »

seriously, the absolute cheapest stuff isn't worth it compared to what more you can get out of the slightly higher rated and higher value:money ratio hardware. you can spend a little extra and get more out of it all.
last time i checked the cheapest stuff was... well, shit.

tjanuranus · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2011, 11:56:16 PM »

here are the details...

* Minimum Core2 Duo 1+ GHZ processor (Core2 Duo 2GHz up recommended)
* Minimum 2GB of RAM ( 4GB RAM recommended)
* Cable or DSL (DS3 or T1 recommended)
* Windows XP, Windows 2000 or higher
* Secured web browser

DASTRADER software is best viewed in 1024x768 pixel format.
(to adjust this setting, right click on the desktop and select properties > settings.)

mizzl · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2011, 12:27:57 AM »

I'd recommend getting a Pentium P5

Bacong · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2011, 12:35:56 AM »

assuming you have a keyboard, mouse and monitor:

if not, add 30 bucks for k/m and 150ish for all 3

Bacong · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2011, 12:36:49 AM »

https://oi56.tinypic.com/ms15rl.jpg since this forum won't let me post that full size

Bacong · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2011, 12:38:08 AM »

also a disc drive will add about 20-30 if you need it. this is bare minimum, really, except for the GPU (you said you need 2 monitors)

AcidLameLTE · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2011, 03:05:05 AM »

If he's just going for a cheap set up, why did you include another power supply when one already comes with the case (or, at least, it looks like it does from the picture)?

Bacong · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2011, 04:13:57 AM »

didn't even really look into the case

Bacong · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2011, 04:15:28 AM »

but a 500 W PSU with a case for 30 bucks? I wouldn't trust that PSU.

AcidLameLTE · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2011, 04:18:44 AM »

Oh, wow. I didn't really look at the prices.

Probably worth getting that other power supply after all

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2011, 04:25:05 AM »

Quote from: Bacong on September 08, 2011, 04:15:28 AM

but a 500 W PSU with a case for 30 bucks? I wouldn't trust that PSU.

Yep. PSUs with cheapo cases are never high quality, and usually very poor efficiency, so a no brand 500W PSU can probably only put out as much power as a 350-400W brand name PSU.
Although for such a basic machine, it's probably just fine.

Bacong · « **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2011, 04:43:20 AM »

meh, he could get a case for 20 bucks and get the PSU I chose.

ReaperKK · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2011, 06:23:56 AM »

What type of terminal are you running?

tjanuranus · « **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2011, 06:24:33 AM »

Quote from: Bacong on September 08, 2011, 04:43:20 AM

meh, he could get a case for 20 bucks and get the PSU I chose.

Hey thanks for that i really appreciate it. Looks like i can get a couple 17 inch monitors for 75 a piece as well. So the whole set up would be about 450. Assuming this is cheaper then actually trying to buy a computer with two monitors so thank you.

tjanuranus · « **Reply #21 on:** September 08, 2011, 06:25:15 AM »

Quote from: ReaperKK on September 08, 2011, 06:23:56 AM

What type of terminal are you running?

What do you mean? Trading software?

ReaperKK · « **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2011, 06:25:34 AM »

Yes, each broker has it's own trading software, or uses some type of software package.

AcidLameLTE · « **Reply #23 on:** September 08, 2011, 06:31:41 AM »

Quote from: tjanuranus on September 08, 2011, 06:24:33 AM

So the whole set up would be about 450.

Damn. That's disgustingly cheap.

I don't want to think about how much I've spent on computer parts + peripherals

Edit: Come to think of it, my two monitors are worth more than that entire setup

ReaperKK · « **Reply #24 on:** September 08, 2011, 06:34:07 AM »

Quote from: AcidRainLTE on September 08, 2011, 06:31:41 AM

Quote from: tjanuranus on September 08, 2011, 06:24:33 AM
So the whole set up would be about 450.
Damn. That's disgustingly cheap.

I don't want to think about how much I've spent on computer parts + peripherals

Edit: Come to think of it, my two monitors are worth more than that entire setup

You don't need much for a trading setup, mine set me back about $600 not including monitors. I use two tv's for trading. It's when I can just walk past a room and glance at a chart.

tjanuranus · « **Reply #25 on:** September 08, 2011, 06:39:30 AM »

Quote from: ReaperKK on September 08, 2011, 06:25:34 AM

Yes, each broker has it's own trading software, or uses some type of software package.

I believe it's called DASTrader.

Bacong · « **Reply #26 on:** September 08, 2011, 07:13:40 AM »

Make sure both monitors you get are DVI or HDMI (preferably both) you have HDMI, VGA and DVI outs on that card.

tjanuranus · « **Reply #27 on:** September 08, 2011, 07:18:06 AM »

Ok thank you.

El Barto · « **Reply #28 on:** September 08, 2011, 08:44:43 AM »

Quote from: Bacong on September 08, 2011, 12:35:56 AM

assuming you have a keyboard, mouse and monitor:

if not, add 30 bucks for k/m and 150ish for all 3

Pretty reasonable. I'm not a fan of Biostar, but that's a good price for a full ATX mobo. The other thing I'd look at is that a faster, quad core CPU wouldn't cost much more at all. The 840 phenom is fetching bargain basement prices because it's not a true phenom, but it is a very good Athlon for <$100.

ReaperKK · « **Reply #29 on:** September 08, 2011, 08:46:58 AM »

Quote from: El Barto on September 08, 2011, 08:44:43 AM

Quote from: Bacong on September 08, 2011, 12:35:56 AM
assuming you have a keyboard, mouse and monitor:

if not, add 30 bucks for k/m and 150ish for all 3

Pretty reasonable. I'm not a fan of Biostar, but that's a good price for a full ATX mobo. The other thing I'd look at is that a faster, quad core CPU wouldn't cost much more at all. The 840 phenom is fetching bargain basement prices because it's not a true phenom, but it is a very good Athlon for <$100.

I'm rocking some of that ram in my system and my brother that processor, it's good stuff.

News: Video of online chat between fans and members of Dream Theater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8cLlXnHpA&feature=youtu.be (*no chickens were harmed during the filming of this chat)

Author Topic: Help Me Build A PC (Yes you heard that right.) (Read 2923 times)