Please Help Spec New Rig V2.0

I started this thread but it seems to have been lost over the weekend so I've got to post all over again. I am looking for advice on specs for a new PC, either custom built or a Dell Precision. If custom built it will be assembled at a shop that specialises in building high end gaming rigs, so please provide detailed specs, because if asked if I prefer A or B I would not have a clue.

I typically run all at the same time;
OS-Windows 7 home premium 64-bit

IBs TWS - tracking 58 symbols in watchlists. Used for order entry, portfolio management, receiving option chains and charting about 10 option spreads. Number of symbols tracked/charts will increase.
Sierra Charts - 3 separate installations, 10 chartbooks tracking 58 symbols in 232 charts. 75% of the charts have about 16 studies and the remainder 6-8 studies each. All charts have attached spreadsheet studies which capture real-time data. Using native spreadsheets, not Excel.
Excel - 6 workbooks plus 3 from Hoadley running macros. Fairly large.
Firefox - email, browsing, 4-6 tabs at a time
Webinar software whenever I am not actively trading.

Budget $1,000 to $1,500, but I could stretch this a bit if justified. Looking to run 4x23 inch monitors. Tower configuration preferred. Ambient operating temperature 25C-30C (77F-86F), machine on during RTH to capture data, but I don't watch full time. I don't day trade, positions are held for days-weeks.

@Scataphagos - I managed to make some notes from your posts, thanks

@ofthomas - I saw the post about 2 machines, but unfortunately did not have time to make any notes. Thanks for the response to my PM. One question did come to mind when I read about 2 machines;
My existing machine is an Acer Aspire M3910 with core i5-760. It cost $961 excl. monitors and keyboard. The first Mobo (EIH57MK) failed after 3 months, the replacement failed after 2 years and 1 month.

The same machine obviously would cost much less now, but assuming that the comparative level of technology and quality would be at the same price point today, how does buying a cheaper machine ensure greater reliability?

 

b/c you can buy best of breed parts from the lowest cost provider like newegg. for ex, the power supply is often overlooked compared to ram or processor speed but it's just as important obviously. you can prevent it going out like it has happened on some off the shelf lower end computers by buying your own.

 

I get that point. Unfortunately the original thread was lost so you have not seen his response there. Basically he was suggesting getting 2 PCs, like Dell and HP which I reckon would mean average cost equal to or lower than my existing.

What I really would like to do is compare a built-to-spec and a Dell Precision in terms of price and performance.

Haven't seen Bolimomo around lately, he usually has some ideas.

 

Dell Outlet has these Precision T3600 right now. I doubt you can match the quality and price with a build-to-spec. (If I were in the market for a new computer like you... knowing what I know about workstation/server class components and their costs... I'd take one of these deals and not bother with fussing around with other.)


$869
Precision T3600•Processor: Intel Xeon Four Core E5-1620 Processor (3.6GHz, 10M, Turbo)

•Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
•Dell Outlet Precision Fixed Workstation T3600, 425W Tower
•500GB 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
•4GB, DDR3 UDIMM Memory, 1600MHz, Non-ECC (2 DIMMs)
•8X DVD ROM Drive
•1 GB AMD FirePro V4900,3 Monitor

_____________________________________________________

$949
Precision T3600•Processor: Intel Xeon Four Core E5-1620 Processor (3.6GHz, 10M, Turbo)
•Genuine Windows 7 Professional
•Dell Outlet Precision Fixed Workstation T3600, 425W Tower
•500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
•4GB, DDR3 UDIMM Memory, 1600MHz, Non-ECC (2 DIMMs)
•8X DVD +/- RW Optical Drive
•512 MB NVIDIA Quadro NVS 300, Dual Monitor

__________________________________________________
$1,039
Precision T3600•Processor: Intel Xeon Four Core E5-1620 Processor (3.6GHz, 10M, Turbo)
•Genuine Windows 7 Professional
•Dell Outlet Precision Fixed Workstation T3600, 635W Tower
•500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
•8GB, DDR3 RDIMM Memory, 1600MHz, ECC (4 DIMMS)
•8X DVD ROM Drive
•512 MB NVIDIA Quadro NVS 300, Dual Monitor

Note: All have E5-1620 CPU. The 1603 and 1607 run RAM at slower speed.

 

Last weeks thread was painful to follow, Scat and ofthomas have some serious patience.

It is relatively simple, no need to have a custom build from some one "who specializes" in trading computers.

You either just go with the Dell precision, or you spend a little time googling and learn to build one yourself. It isn't rocket science.
If you are uncomfortable with building, just go to Dell and get the precision.

www.newegg.com is a one stop solution,. They also have how to build tutorials, power req'd calculators, advanced search etc... to select components

Basic component list

Tower Case [Mid or full]
Power Supply [Don't be cheap here]
Motherboard [Many options]
Processor [i5 is sufficient, i7 if desired]
Memory [8gb-16gb memory is cheap]
HDD/SSD for operating system & programs[recommend SSD]
HDD for data
Video Card
Operating System [numerous options, download, previous copy, OEM - recommend Win7pro]
Optical drive
Monitor's / keyboard /mouse-trackball assume you have

For multiple monitors >4 you may consider dual systems and use synergy or multiplicity to share the input device [keyboard, mouse-trackball, clipboard]

Great product, simple and works well http://www.stardock.com/products/multiplicity/

If intent on single system then research mobo with 3 PCI-16 slots
[my mobo with 3 ea slots]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821

Determine resolution of monitors, 2560x1600, or just 1920x1080p and input type [Dual DVI, Display Port, HDMI, etc..]

Get matching video cards to avoid driver conflicts which will drive these monitors. I prefer Nvidia, personal preference

Fast and dirty look at newegg: Many options, just posting my personal preference's
[Lian cases, Corsair pwr supply, Asus mobo's, Nvidia "EVGA" Video cards, Samsung SSD, Western Digital Green Drive's]

Tower Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=1375&N=50001375&IsNodeId=1&SpeTabStoreType=0
Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139010
Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837
Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115234
Memory [free included in MOBO deal above]
SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147185
HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=
Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130821
Operating System http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992
Optical Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
Trackball [can't recommend enough] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104249

Basic links:

How to build Newegg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL291F84A80CA32304&feature=player_embedded&v=lPIXAtNGGCw
How to build Toms Hardware: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-your-own-pc,2601.html
Guide on installing Win7 http://www.tweakhound.com/windows7/install7.html
ET thread Build your own: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=223072

Spend some time on Google reading reviews, comparisons etc... After a solid weekend spent researching you will know exactly what you need and how to do it... If it all still seems too overwhelming, then just go to Dell and be done with it.

ofthomas, Scat and WinstonTJ may have other suggestions. My personal opinion stick with the above, they are knowledgeable.

Edit: just noticed Scat posted as I was writing, [boring day, had time to kill waiting for targets]

I prefer building my own, for numerous reasons. I enjoy learning, I enjoy tinkering, I get exactly what I need and am able to maintain it myself. There is nothing wrong with just buying a box, as long as you don't go too cheap.
Scat and WinstonTJ seldom give bad advice. So which ever way one goes, it is all a matter of personal choice. One is not necessarily better than the other...

 

subbed

 

it doesnt... reliability is tied directly to quality of components... everyone thinks that components are all the same, well... they are not... slower CPU's are basically CPU's that while the same "components" are not the same quality given wafer location (when looking at the same family of course)....

I personally prefer to spend a few more hundreds in quality product than to seek ultimate cost savings... I will always choose business line over consumer line of products... business has a 3-4 year lifecycle... as such the components need to last longer, also... many of the business assets are now leased.. to maximize profit better quality products are used mostly because the manufacturer does not want to service them as often... there are different tiers of business as well, but for the most part small and enterprise will be close in quality...

now, because I no longer chase tech like I used to, no sense on it really... I focus on refurbished business products that are current... a lot of the vendors will get returns... mostly because something was ordered and was wrong, or because systems might have been dinged during shipment, etc... another reason as well will be that someone opened, tried it out and didnt liked it... the product can no longer be sold as new.. so they will mark it down 30-40%, more at times, and just sell it to recover their cost or take a smaller loss...

that is how you can get more bang for your money...

I prefer HP... I've used DELL and IBM as well... I would focus on one of those three vendors for the systems... and I would focus on their business lines, refurbished...

 

here is what I had posted that I found from dell outlet...

 

here are details... system 1

 

you dont need the level of reliability of the E5 given what you are doing... however, if you can squeeze it within your budget and it is an extra $50-100 compared to the i7-3770 gen3.. then by all means... do it...