I bought a new Dell T3400 earlier this year on Sale for $900. Came with Windows XP Pro, NVS-290's, and 4 Gigs of PC2-6400 ECC RAM on an Intel Duo-Core E8200 Processor @ 2.66GHz and L2 Cache of 6MB with a 1333 MHz Front Side Bus. Handles all of my trading needs with no problem at all. If anything, my broadband connection has been the weakest "link" in my trading platform.
So why the hell didn't you speak up on this thread sooner? I could have spent the difference on booze and women.
Because given your earlier comments on this thread ( see below ) you seemed hell bent on wasting money and listening to a Dell sales rep even though you have absolutely no idea what you are paying for in a Xeon Dual-Quad processor. http://www.intel.com/technology/quad-core/server/index.htm?iid=homepage+marquee_xeon_cheetah "I've read the threads recommending the T3400 and was ready to purchase it but the Dell sales rep made me think about moving up to one of the higher Precision lines, the T5400 with the Xeon chip. I have no idea what the differences in chips are." I can guarantee you that you will find my highly positive comments on the T3400 ( along with those from "Gnome" ) in the majority of the threads that you said that you have already read. Here's just a few: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=132436&highlight=T3400 http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=125485&highlight=T3400 http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122996&highlight=T3400 But for some stupid reason, you chose to ignore those threads and comments specifically addressing no need whatsoever for high-performance processors that support greater multi-tasking. The majority of trading software just isn't written to take advantage of such hardware innovation. In any event, it would appear that you just upgraded your current trading hardware in total OVERKILL fashion . . . and spent nearly $1,000 more than you had to. Hope it makes you tons of money.
Amazing, isn't it? We advise them as to what works, then they do what the sales rep tells them to do... I was helping a fellow ET'er configure one today online... I thought he'd just click to "add to cart". Instead he called and talked to a sales rep... who tried to convince him to add $1200 worth of upgrades.. unnecessary of course. Sheesh!
Hey Gnome: I read a bunch of your posts, and wanted to thank you for your continued contribution here, despite a few numbnuts that NEVER listen. What is the minimum amount of memory I need on a Video card to run dual 22 inch monitors. I am sticking with Nvdia, based on what I have seen here. I assume 256mb is going to be too little, is 512mb enough? surdo
I'm sure that Gnome would suggest going with 256mb. No need for anything more than that. Monitors just don't need all that memory - - - unless you are playing hardcore video games.
Much appreciated, not a gamer, just porn surfer! It's amazing how cheap you can put together a system today, if you are creative on the Dell site!
[ I was being facetious. Maybe it was a poor attempt. Thanks for the links in any case. The T3400 with the 250GB harddrive, 2GB RAM, pro support and power backup priced out at $1356.40 before tax. At the time I was deciding, the price gap between the T3400 and T5400 with similar configuration was over $1000. After further consideration and gnome's reply, I decided the difference wasn't worth it, so I called the DELL rep to order the T3400 when he dropped the difference down to under $500. I thought that was reasonable and he was professional in his service so I went with the T5400 even though it's probably more computer than I need. I'm not worried about the difference and was just pulling your leg. As for the other comments following yours, hey guys, I appreciate your helpful input. No hard feelings that I didn't "follow" your advice. Your comments were helpful to me. All the best.