Hi there. Limited funds, so I can't yet simply get the best CPU and the best GPU. My current choice is down to these 2 combinations: 1) i7 4-core(8thread) 3.4Ghz 8MB L3, using the integrated HD 4000 2) 1) i5 4-core(4thread) 3.4Ghz 6MB L3, and a GeForce GTS 450 (GTS 450 is about 100-200% more powerful than the HD 4000) for 2 monitors (1280x1024), each showing 4 charts. MB Desktop Pro software. Rest of system: 8GB @ 1600 Windows 7 H.P. 64-bit 7200rpm HDD 430w PSU (high quality) (GTS 450 uses 250watts at full load) (both CPUs are 77watts) In time I can easily upgrade the CPU (if starting with the i5), HDD, the PSU, and add any graphics card.
What do you need a powerful graphics card for, really? Does your trading software plot the price charts in 3D polygons with translucency and plays a bomb explosion animation sequence when price hits your level? Unless you meant to play video games on the same box when you are not trading. (But it was not stated.)
exactly what bolimomo said... also, the GTS450 is like $75... so not sure what you would be "saving".. so go with the i5-3570... which is what I think you spec'ed on the thread. The only other thing I would say is get an SSD for the OS/App... that is cost effective now.. $100 or so for 128GB SSD...
True. I downloaded free MSI Afterburner, and watched the actual GPU usage. It didn't go above 15% (of the Mobility Radeon HD 3650) ((The Intel HD 4000 will be twice as powerful, so that'd be closer to 8%)) "as a rule of thumb, only software supporting OpenCL or CUDA technology will use your GPU for computing" Next Q is for the CPU Using XP's Task Manager- the CPU graph shows both CPU cores. During the most demanding market activity: Core 1 - 10-90% Core 2 - 20-60% That was for yesterday only. I'm sure sometimes the usage would be greater. Does 90% mean that there is 10% remaining before the CPU will have to queue incoming data, rather than processing it instantly? say the CPU graph shows 90%... and another bunch of data reaches the CPU to be processed. Would it be processed any slower, compared to if the CPU graph was showing 10%?
See what processes are using CPU under the Processes tab. Sort the list by clicking the CPU field header.