I get the question all of the time: "What should I look for in a QCharts computer?" Here are the new system requirements for QCharts: http://www.qcharts.com/download/default.asp#require
Here are the main points in building or buying a QCharts computer:
Processor: Get at least a Dual core (AMD or Intel), and preferably a Quad core. Get the fastest processor you can afford. Any version of a P4 processor doesn't cut it anymore. Do not skimp here.
RAM: Random Access Memory - it needs to be fast. At least 800MHz. And 2GB is the minimum. 2GB will work fine, and will allow you to run QCharts plus a lot of other applications, but RAM nowadays is pretty cheap and I'd set the minimum amount to be 2GB. More RAM than this will not necessarily allow you to run faster, unless you are running a lot of applications.
For example, on my "Rocket" computer, right now, as I type this, I'm running: - One copy of QCharts 5.1.0.22 with my DE workspace stretched over all (8) 21' monitors. - Another copy of QCharts 6.0.3.1379 with my version 6 DE workspace stretched over the same monitors. - Microsoft Outlook - One instance of Internet Explorer 7, with 4 browsing tabs open - One copy of LiveCharts with my portfolio open in it.
With all of that running, I am using 1.16GB of my 2GB of physical RAM that is installed. So you see, even if I had 4GB installed, it wouldn't help. I'm not even using all of the 2GB I have installed now.
I'm not saying don't install 4GB - but I'd put more importance on getting good quality, high speed RAM, then getting more quantity. By the way, 32bit Windows and 32 bit Vista will not fully recognize all 4GB of RAM even if you put it in. You'll need a 64bit operating system to fully use all 4GB. By the way, I like Corsair RAM.
Graphics / Video Card(s): You must have a PCI-e x16 video card. Which means your motherboard must support this. So you'll need to have at least one (I prefer two) PCI-e x16 slots. PCI-e is said "PCI Enhanced". And the "x16" bit is said "16 lane". So when you are talking to a sales person, tell them you need to make sure your motherboard has a "PCI enhanced, 16 lane slot for the video card you want to use". My trading computer runs 8 monitors, so I need two of these PCI-e x16 slots to run 2 quad cards so I can power all 8 monitors. If you are sure you're only going to run 4 monitors, then you can get by on only one x16 slot. But if you ever think you might want to run 8 monitors, get the additional slot on the motherboard (or system) you are buying.
There are two video cards I have used personally, and both work well. - The Matrox QID LP PCI-e x16 quad card, with 128mb of memory on it. - The PNY nVidia Quadro NVS 440 quad card, with 256mb of memory on it. The PNY card was about $450 from NewEgg, and the Matrox card (which I have 2 of in my trading computer) was about $750 from one of my computer wholesalers. As with all computer parts, shop for the best price you can get, coupled with the best service and money-back or return policy. I buy a LOT of stuff from NewEgg and they've done really good so far.
The point is that speed through the graphics bus is important. You have to have a PCI-e x16 slot on the motherboard, going into a PCI-e x16 quad card to make this thing run right.
Hard Drive: Make sure your system (or motherboard if you are building your own) has SATA-II capability. This is a specific type of hard drive bus. I wouldn't worry about getting the absolute biggest hard disk, as QCharts and your workspace files don't take up a lot of space. But it is important to get a SATA-II hard disk, set to 3.0GB/s transfer rate. Again, speed is important. As far as space, any drive over 100GB should do fine as far as the operating system and QCharts is concerned. Now, if you're going to pack it full of videos and MP3 files, then you're on your own as far as determining what size drive you need, but if you're going to only run QCharts on this computer, any drive over 100GB should be fine. Actually, less would be OK, but if you want a line in the sand, draw it at 100GB for a minimum.
The Power Supply: This is one of the most overlooked system components. In my opinion, the minimum size of power supply you should get is 550 watts. You are powering a lot of computer here, plus at least one quad card, if not two. 550W is the minimum here.
Motherboard: If you're buying a Dell, or HP or whatever, you won't have any choice in this. It's whatever they build into your computer. But if you're building your own box, I'd recommend a name brand board such as ASUS, Abit, Intel, Gigabit, or the like. Do the research on the board you choose - check the manufacturer's forums - see what other users are saying. Do the Google searches on it. Try and find out what experience others have had using the board you are considering.
The rest of the components, the floppy drive (if you use one - I have grey hair, I still use one) - the keyboard, mouse, monitors, DVD drive, all of the other stuff is pretty much whatever you want to run. The components listed above are the main ones to pay attention to.
This is the list of components I used to build my last Rocket
The last "Rocket" I built was over a three years ago, but for those of you that have asked, here is the list of major parts that I used:
Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe
http://usa.asus.com/index.aspx
These are the major parts that I used. You can find a case to suit you, and add in a DVD drive and floppy drive if you want and pick whichever keyboard and mouse and monitor you want. But these components were the most important parts.
Bear in mind that there are motherboards that are more up to date now, and the processor speed will be higher now. But the basic premise applies: buy the fastest processor and peripherals (RAM, graphics card, etc) you can and still meet the minimums here. Ideally, you'll go past them.
Here's another student's build (thanks Chris!):
Motherboard: Abit IP35 Pro
Hopefully this will give you an idea of what we're building and what we're looking for in a system. As always, email if you have questions. |