Computer seem OK for trading, but I would get a new one and buck out the extra cash for it. Take a look at tigerdirect.com
For one thing the Intel Pentium 4 Processor 521 w/HT Technology (2.8GHz,800FSB) from the Dell will run circles around the used P4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No one has really mentioned why the computer I am looking at is inadeqaute --beside the price. What features is this computer lacking? --what other details should I be looking for to make it worth while. This computer fullfills all the requirements listed on the Hardware Training forum on this site -- except that it is a 1.5ghz -- whareas the recomended say should be a 1.7 -2.0 Ghz. Commnets appreciated.. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's the one you want. Save up another $200 or so. Dell Outlet - Small Business: 'DDAK8F58' Precision 380 Intel Pentium 4 630 (3GHz, 2MB L2, 800MHz) XP Pro with CD 1 Gig Ram 1.44 Floppy 80 GB Sata II HD - 7200rpm 128MB ATI FireGL V3100 48x CD ROM 48X CD-RW/DVD Keyboard/Mouse $559 + tax/shipping. The only downsides are: no Firewire, and the RAM is 533MHz instead of 667MHz. Even so, it will be a very fast computer. I believe the Dell Precision 380 has an Intel Gigabit (10/100/1000) integrated Ethernet controller.
I bought a 670 and it is probably about as quiet as a computer of this caliber is going to get - not too loud - not dead quiet like a well-designed older 1.5GHz Pentium. I am unsure about the 380 - good point tho. Maybe if the original poster calls Dell, they can provide some noise specs for the 670 vs. the 380 to make sure it won't sound like a shop vac.
New ones with BTX form factor are significantly quieter... also, older ones <3.0Ghz with slower CPU fan.
PBW: Is it possible you are undercapitalized and that is a bigger concern than what type of computer you buy? Why even consider a USED computer otherwise? Btw I use pentium III 500 computers that I got for FREE from my old customers who were upgrading and I knew the condition of them because I worked on them previously. But that is not your situation, is it? Only one has a fast SCCI hard drive. So what! My server which runs 5 computers is only a celeron 500. (since I am a computer tech I can repair or fix any problems- which have been zero past 2 years). ALL my hard drives are only 8 GB IBM SCCI except one and they are half empty. I'd like to have a couple new faster computers but I'd never buy a p.o.s. Dell computer with what brand hard drive? IBM doesn't make hard drives any more except for scci ones. The Maxtor, Western Digital, etc. are all undependable that come with a $350 Dell computer. More important to get a good Intel Motherboard and that requires some research. What do you need speed for? I could see a good solid internet connection. That's worth paying for. And this advice is coming from a very successful trader with over 30 years experience thus far. The kind of computer you use doesn't mean much.
the question comes to mind. how successful can you be if you still use a p3 500 computer? or are you just tight? lol
pbw: That used computer you are looking at should do anything in the way of trading you will need. I have been running 9 monitors, 39 open windows, with IB TWS and RealTick programs both open on a lesser computer than the one you are asking about. My trading computer is only 1.2 ghz, 256 mb pc-133 ram, and windows 2000. In the last week, I put in 768 mb of ram and that did not change a thing.