When working online, your computer becomes your 'vehicle' to get to work. When trading real money online, Speed and Reliability are top priority. Do not sacrifice these to 'save' money. Invest in these to make more money.
Our research and recommendations are based on running web-based GreenChart software which displays multiple market streams of live data per currency pair and other instruments (symbols).
An 11th or 12th gen Core i5 chip is enough and will get by. But we recommend an 11th or 12th gen Core i7 PC or Apple M1 at minimum.
Recommended computers fall in the $700-$1,300 Range. If you are located along the Wasatch Front, you can always find some great deals for new-in-box computers on KSL Classifieds.
Keep in mind that Apple offers a 2 week return policy as do most computer stores like BestBuy.
Bottlenecks
The three bottlenecks of online software reliability and speed are
1. Internet (reliability)
2. Processor (speed)
3. RAM (speed)
Internet Speed
(megabits per second) 12 mbps = Enough when just using GreenChart alone25 mbps = Recommended if zooming with an accountability partner or charting while on a Zoom/webinar50 mbps = More than enoughTest your connection on SpeedTest.net
RAM
4GB = Enough
8GB = Best
16GB = More than enough
Intel Processors
Celeron Series - Entry Level = 2 Cores, 4MB Cache ~$400
(NOT ENOUGH)
Pentium Series - Low End = 2 Cores, 4MB Cache ~$500
(NOT ENOUGH)
Core Series - Midrange = 4-16 Cores, 4-32MB Cache
i3 = 4-8 Cores, 4-8 MB Cache, ~$600 (NOT ENOUGH - Runs 1-3 pairs/tabs simultaneously)
i5 = 6 Cores, 12-18 MB Cache ~$700 (ENOUGH...Runs 3-5 pairs/tabs simultaneously)
––––––––– Baseline is midrange of midrange ––––––––– Below this line is capable.
i7 = 8 Cores, 16-24 MB Cache ~$800 (GOOD - Runs 5-6 pairs/tabs simultaneously)
i7 = 8 Cores, 16-24 MB Cache ~$800 (GOOD - Runs 5-6 pairs/tabs simultaneously)
i9 = 14-16 Cores, 24-32 MB Cache ~$1,000+ (BETTER - Runs 6-10 /tabs simultaneously)
**New Core i5, i7 and i9s released this year (12th Gen) are supposed to be as good as Apple's M1.
Xeon Series - High End ~$1,000+(BETTER/BEST? - *NOT TESTED*)
Intel Processors Source
AMD ProcessorsUse Versus.com to compare the performance of any AMD chip to a Core i7 or to an Apple M1.
**New Core i5, i7 and i9s released this year (12th Gen) are supposed to be as good as Apple's M1.
Xeon Series - High End ~$1,000+(BETTER/BEST? - *NOT TESTED*)
Intel Processors Source
AMD ProcessorsUse Versus.com to compare the performance of any AMD chip to a Core i7 or to an Apple M1.
Apple (Mac) ProcessorsApple has used Intel chips for the past 10+ years but has recently started making their own chips. So far, they are very impressive.The following 3 models use the new M1 Processor. (BEST - Runs 20+)The attractiveness of the M1 chips is the performance for price. To get similar performance in the Intel or AMD lines, you will be paying $1,200+
$1,299 24" iMac (All-in-one M1) Large 24" screen, Includes mouse and keyboard, comes in 6 colors –and you can connect one add'l 6k display. Computer is built into super thin display. There is NO tower.Learn all about it on Apple.com
$699 Mac Mini (Best M1 bang for buck)
Connect your current keyboard, mouse and connect two 6k monitors into this mini computer, –assuming your monitors are recent/new enough to connect.
$999 MacBook Air (Most inexpensive M1 laptop)
Connect and power two 6k displays)
$1,299 24" iMac (All-in-one M1) Large 24" screen, Includes mouse and keyboard, comes in 6 colors –and you can connect one add'l 6k display. Computer is built into super thin display. There is NO tower.Learn all about it on Apple.com