INSTRUCTION
PC FOR SCALPING
We are building a workplace for professional trading
Relevance: October 2020.
Relevance: October 2020.
The scalper spends 100% of the working hours at the computer. The computer is the main tool of the trader. He uses it to analyze the market, make trades, and communicate with other traders. In this article, we will analyze what is needed for a trader's computer, and what is not.
Trader's computer: the basics
A computer is a trader's workplace. The requirements for it are simple: stability of operation.
Unlike "gaming" computers, a trader's PC does not have to be ultra-fast. The main thing is stability. Programs running on a computer should be easily processed by the processor and memory. Even if they decided to become active at the same time. This stability is achieved not only due to the power of the computer, but also due to proper configuration.
The weakest point of trading computers is connection. Even the fastest computer is useless if the connection channel is unstable.
Let's start with the main thing – a powerful computer will not make you a successful trader. Just like buying running shoes doesn't make you an athlete. Everything depends on the person.
Time and effort invested in trading equals your profit or losses.
You bought a PC - worked a little bit - you didn't like it - then you gave up. It's a waste of money.
Do not forget to take care of the protection of your computer. Simple free antivirus and basic safety rules are sufficient.
Unlike "gaming" computers, a trader's PC does not have to be ultra-fast. The main thing is stability. Programs running on a computer should be easily processed by the processor and memory. Even if they decided to become active at the same time. This stability is achieved not only due to the power of the computer, but also due to proper configuration.
The weakest point of trading computers is connection. Even the fastest computer is useless if the connection channel is unstable.
Let's start with the main thing – a powerful computer will not make you a successful trader. Just like buying running shoes doesn't make you an athlete. Everything depends on the person.
Time and effort invested in trading equals your profit or losses.
You bought a PC - worked a little bit - you didn't like it - then you gave up. It's a waste of money.
Do not forget to take care of the protection of your computer. Simple free antivirus and basic safety rules are sufficient.
System Block
The system block is basically the computer. The system block contains the main components for processing and storing information – the processor, RAM, hard drive and video card. In addition, the system block contains a power supply and fans for cooling the system. The components of the system block are situated below.
Attention: the prices and parameters of these components are relevant for 2020.
Attention: the prices and parameters of these components are relevant for 2020.
If your computer "runs" modern games, then its power is more than enough for active trading and scalping.
The CScalp terminal does not need multicore. A feature of NetFrameWork libraries is maximal loading the one core and then the others. Therefore, when you choose a processor, you should pay attention to the core frequency more than a multi-core processor.
Our team recommends:
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500X Processor ~ 180$
of CPU Cores 6; of Threads 6; Base Clock 3.6GHz; Total L3 Cache 32MB
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor ~ 245$
of CPU Cores 6; of Threads 12; Base Clock 3.6GH;z Max Boost Clock Up to 4.2GHz; Total L1 Cache 384KB; Total L2 Cache 3MB
- Intel® Core™ i5-9400 Processor ~ 200$
of CPU Cores 6; of Threads 6; Processor Base Frequency 2.90 GHz; Max Turbo Frequency 4.10 GHz
Our team recommends:
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500X Processor ~ 180$
of CPU Cores 6; of Threads 6; Base Clock 3.6GHz; Total L3 Cache 32MB
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor ~ 245$
of CPU Cores 6; of Threads 12; Base Clock 3.6GH;z Max Boost Clock Up to 4.2GHz; Total L1 Cache 384KB; Total L2 Cache 3MB
- Intel® Core™ i5-9400 Processor ~ 200$
of CPU Cores 6; of Threads 6; Processor Base Frequency 2.90 GHz; Max Turbo Frequency 4.10 GHz
CScalp efficiently utilizes RAM. In the screenshot we can see the common situation when the terminal takes up a small share of the computer's resources. Problems with low memory happens rarely. This usually happens when the memory is "eaten up" by other applications.
The CScalp system requirements specify that a desktop application needs 4GB of RAM. The computer will work properly with these settings. When you want to run multiple apps at the same time, start to record the screen etc., it is better to install 8 to 16 GB of RAM.
So we choose:
CORSAIR Vengeance LPX CMK16GX4M2B3200C16 DDR4 — 2x 8GB Memory Module ~80$
288-pin; frequency: 3200; form factor: DIMM; latency: CL16; a set of modules for perfect collaboration, equipped with a radiator for efficient cooling.
The CScalp system requirements specify that a desktop application needs 4GB of RAM. The computer will work properly with these settings. When you want to run multiple apps at the same time, start to record the screen etc., it is better to install 8 to 16 GB of RAM.
So we choose:
CORSAIR Vengeance LPX CMK16GX4M2B3200C16 DDR4 — 2x 8GB Memory Module ~80$
288-pin; frequency: 3200; form factor: DIMM; latency: CL16; a set of modules for perfect collaboration, equipped with a radiator for efficient cooling.
The video card is not the most important, but an essential attribute of a scalper PC. You can work in CScalp using the common video card. But if you need to connect multiple monitors to expand the workspace, you will need a more powerful video card.
GIGABYTE nVidia GeForce GTX 1050TI, GV - N105TOC - 4GL video card ~ 150$
nVidia GeForce GTX 1050TI; CPU frequency: 1303 MHz (1442 MHz, in Boost mode); memory frequency: 7008MHz; video memory capacity: 4GB; video memory type: GDDR5; OverClock Edition; DirectX 12/OpenGL 4.5
GIGABYTE nVidia GeForce GTX 1050TI, GV - N105TOC - 4GL video card ~ 150$
nVidia GeForce GTX 1050TI; CPU frequency: 1303 MHz (1442 MHz, in Boost mode); memory frequency: 7008MHz; video memory capacity: 4GB; video memory type: GDDR5; OverClock Edition; DirectX 12/OpenGL 4.5
Special attention should be given to hard drive. The speed of recording and reading is important for CScalp, because the terminal records data on clusters, symbol settings, charts, logging, etc. to the hard disk.
So we chose the SSD type hard drive:
SSD drive SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus MZ-V7S250BW 250GB ~ 70$
read speed, up to: 3500MB/s; record speed, up to: 2300MB/s; interface: PCI-E x4; memory type: V-NAND; form factor: M. 2 2280; TBW: 150 TB; support NVMe
SSD drives are not cheap. Usually it is used for special issues, for example, for installing the OS and important programs. SSD drive is recommended for CScalp. The system block can be supplemented with conventional HDD for 1TB or more for storing information.
So we chose the SSD type hard drive:
SSD drive SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus MZ-V7S250BW 250GB ~ 70$
read speed, up to: 3500MB/s; record speed, up to: 2300MB/s; interface: PCI-E x4; memory type: V-NAND; form factor: M. 2 2280; TBW: 150 TB; support NVMe
SSD drives are not cheap. Usually it is used for special issues, for example, for installing the OS and important programs. SSD drive is recommended for CScalp. The system block can be supplemented with conventional HDD for 1TB or more for storing information.
Monitors
Scalping is a full-time job. The trader spends at least 8 hours a day at the workplace. Therefore, you should choose a monitor that minimizes stress on the eyes. With good color reproduction, white balance and diagonal. An equally important parameter is the response time and refresh rate. Milliseconds in Scalping is the most important things. Therefore, you need to pay attention to these parameters.
Professional traders complement their workplace with several monitors. This allows them to track more tickers, charts, and news feeds. A professional trader has 2-3 monitors on average. Sometimes masters complete their workplace with five, six or even seven monitors.
Monitor AOC G2590VXQ 24.5" ~ 130$
TN matrix, resolution 1920x1080 (16:9), Refresh rate 76 Hz, response time 1 ms, Viewing angles: horizontal 170°, Vertical 160°, HDMI 1.4 x2, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA (D-Sub), stereo audio input, built-in speakers, FreeSync support
Professional traders complement their workplace with several monitors. This allows them to track more tickers, charts, and news feeds. A professional trader has 2-3 monitors on average. Sometimes masters complete their workplace with five, six or even seven monitors.
Monitor AOC G2590VXQ 24.5" ~ 130$
TN matrix, resolution 1920x1080 (16:9), Refresh rate 76 Hz, response time 1 ms, Viewing angles: horizontal 170°, Vertical 160°, HDMI 1.4 x2, DisplayPort 1.2, VGA (D-Sub), stereo audio input, built-in speakers, FreeSync support
Internet for scalping
The scalper's Internet must be fast and stable. The speed and stability of the connection is even more important than the power of the computer.
The connection speed should not be less than 10 mb/s (on average, 10-30 MB/s is enough for scalping). However, the connection speed will not give the trader an advantage if the quality of the Internet connection is unstable. The ping can range from 10 ms to 1000 ms.
Ping is the time of the execution of the trading operation from CScalp to the exchange. It's processing on the exchange and then returns to the terminal. The faster trading operation executes, the lower ping is. The quality of the service provider is not the width of the channel, it is more about the stability of the ping.
We recommend not using Wi-Fi because it has floating ping. Also you should not download torrents, updates etc. that can occupy the internet channel while you do the scalping.
Also connection problems happens on the exchange servers. In this case, neither a powerful computer nor a high-quality Internet connection will help.
The connection speed should not be less than 10 mb/s (on average, 10-30 MB/s is enough for scalping). However, the connection speed will not give the trader an advantage if the quality of the Internet connection is unstable. The ping can range from 10 ms to 1000 ms.
Ping is the time of the execution of the trading operation from CScalp to the exchange. It's processing on the exchange and then returns to the terminal. The faster trading operation executes, the lower ping is. The quality of the service provider is not the width of the channel, it is more about the stability of the ping.
We recommend not using Wi-Fi because it has floating ping. Also you should not download torrents, updates etc. that can occupy the internet channel while you do the scalping.
Also connection problems happens on the exchange servers. In this case, neither a powerful computer nor a high-quality Internet connection will help.
Download and install CScalp for free. Follow the instruction or video tutorial of How to download and install CScalp (18 min.). You can register directly from this form:
Mobile for the safety
Smartphones are not suitable for scalping. But it can be used for reinsurance. You will be able to urgently close the positions via mobile phone. Therefore, we recommend you to install the exchange's or your broker's apps on your phone.
The mobile phone can also be used as a share point, you may share the Internet from it. This way you can close positions and put out limit orders. Therefore, it is worth getting a high-speed mobile Internet with the possibility of sharing Wi-Fi.
The mobile phone can also be used as a share point, you may share the Internet from it. This way you can close positions and put out limit orders. Therefore, it is worth getting a high-speed mobile Internet with the possibility of sharing Wi-Fi.
When to "build" the machine
Do not rush to buy an expensive computer. Learn the exchange's trading theory and take the first steps. First of all, it is important to have the experience on the basis of which you decide whether or not to engage in trading.
You can learn and start trading on a regular laptop. If after 2-3 months of work you decide that trading is your thing, you can build a more powerful PC. It is not necessary to invest in an expensive pc your initial capital. It is better to start building a suitable computer for work, having trading experience and a stable income from it.
You can learn and start trading on a regular laptop. If after 2-3 months of work you decide that trading is your thing, you can build a more powerful PC. It is not necessary to invest in an expensive pc your initial capital. It is better to start building a suitable computer for work, having trading experience and a stable income from it.
Summary
Remember that an average computer is enough for scalping.
It is not necessary to build an ultra powerful expensive computer. The main thing for a scalper is a stable PC operation and a high-quality Internet connection.
It is not necessary to build an ultra powerful expensive computer. The main thing for a scalper is a stable PC operation and a high-quality Internet connection.