Basic System Setup for
Trading
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Overview
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Computer System Operation
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Internet Connection requirements
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Trading in a Simulator
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Trading Platform
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Computer System Operation
What will you be running on your computer?
Trading Platform
• DAS Trader Pro is a very power day trading platform.
• Uses very light resources on your machine.
Chatroom
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Live Trading, Pre-Market Prep, Mid-Morning traders,
communications with mods and members.
Chatroom scanners, Benzinga News and Squawk Audio.
Internet browser such as Chrome and Firefox.
Scanners
•
Free scanner software like Trading Terminal.
These applications do not require a lot of resources from your computer to run properly.
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Minimum Requirements
This is what we recommend as the bare minimum for a decent trading computer:
System Specs:
⮚ Processor (CPU):
Intel Core i7 Series
⮚ Memory (RAM):
16GB (No less, 32GB is perfect)
⮚ Storage (Hard Drive):
Recommend SSD type drive Size will vary on your needs.
⮚ Motherboard:
Any gaming motherboard will do the job.
⮚ Video Card (GPU):
NVidia, any low-end 10X or high-end 9X series.
Peripheral Hardware:
⮚ 2 Monitors, Keyboard, & Mouse
You can also build your own computer for trading.
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New Specs from IT!
•Processor (CPU): the latest generation Intel i9 is ideal. An i7 will also suffice, but ensure that it is the latest model
generation.
•Memory (RAM): 32GB’s is ideal, but 16 will also work. The more the better, of course.
•Hard drive (HDD/SSD): Minimum of 256GB NVMe M.2 drive is sufficient. This needs to be the primary drive where
Windows and all programs are loaded. You can install a secondary standard Solid State Drive for other data, but the
primary drive needs to be the latest NVMe. The Samsung Pro 970 or greater are perfect.
•Graphics Card/Video: Any of the newer nVidia RTX models will suffice. Even a newer model GTX will work. Just ensure
you have enough video outputs to support the amount of monitors you plan on using. If you want more than 3 monitors,
you will likely need two graphics cards. Also ensure your motherboard can support 2x PCIe x16 graphics cards.
•Power Supply (PSU): Depending on how many hard drives and video cards you plan on using, 750 watts is the minimum I
would recommend. This will also ensure you can upgrade in the future. A modular power supply is easier to work with.
•Cooling: There are several AIO (All in One) water cooling kits for the CPU. But this opens a can of worms as the case
needs to support liquid cooling and have space for the radiator. The H150i PRO is a good fit for most.
•Motherboard: Any board that supports the CPU (Processor) that is selected, is expandable to a minimum of 64GB’s of
RAM (Memory), and has support for a minimum of 2x PCIe 3.0x16 connectors (for the video cards) will suffice.
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System Setup for Trading
What equipment do you need for Day Trading?
Basic Setup
Advance Setup
Travel / Mobile Setup
OR
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Good specs on computer or laptop.
At least two monitors recommended.
Basic accessories.
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Powerful PC run several
applications.
Strong graphics card that can
support multiple monitors.
3 or more monitors for platform,
chatroom and scanners.
Stream deck or gaming pad for
hotkey order execution.
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Laptop with enough USB
connections for accessories.
Portable monitors. (These can
connect using USB.
Dedicated hotspot or cellphone with
great connection like 5G.
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What if you have a Mac?
DAS Trader Pro and many Direct Access Trading Platforms do not run on Mac’s OS.
There are options to run Windows OS on mac that are very stable.
November 3, 2017
Software you can use:
Boot
Camp
Setup Specs
• MacBook Laptop.
• Running Parallels
Software.
• 3 Monitor Setup.
• A lot of connections and
adapters.
Start with what you have, you can upgrade later as you progress.
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Examples of Setup Upgrades
January 19, 2020
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Live Trading
Windows Desktop
2 Strong Graphics Cards
6 Monitors
Gaming pad for hotkeys
Now
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Windows Desktop.
Powerful Gaming Computer
1 Massive Powerful Graphics Card
3 27’ (4K) Monitors
Stream Deck / Gaming Pad for Hotkeys
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Importance of Internet Connection
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Internet Connection
Your internet connection needs to support your style of trading.
A fast and stable connection is important especially for active day traders.
Trading Style
Internet Speed
Day Trading
High Impact
Swing Trading / Long Term
Medium Impact
Investing
Low Impact
Slow speeds can have a significant impact on your executions and negatively
affect your Market Quotes, Order Execution & Fills.
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Highspeed Internet
Make sure your connection is in great condition for day trading.
• Test your internet speed and make sure it is fast, preferably over 50-100MBP’s.
• Contact your Internet Service Provider to run test on their end for speed check.
• Check that your Router/Modem are up to date.
• Use wired (LAN) connection to Router/Modem, it is much faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.
Servers
Internet
Service Provider
Router /
Modem
Computer
System
You want to make sure there are no delays between each point of contact in the internet
chain.
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Trading Platform Latency
• Check the latency between your Trading Platform and Trading Servers.
• DAS Trader Pro has this feature available.
• DAS recommends a Network Delay under 200ms for optimum performance.
Click here to bring up
Network Traffic Status
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Importance of Trading in Simulator
with Live Market Data
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Importance of Trading in a Simulator
You will likely not succeed without spending a significant amount of time in the simulator.
The simulator will help you sharpen your trading skills before putting any real money at risk.
Learn the Platform
Read & Interpret
Market Data
Execution Accuracy
& Speed
Test Strategies
We recommend at least 3 months in a simulator.
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Simulation Environment
You need to train in a simulation environment that is as real as it can get.
STRATEGY
TECHNOLOGY
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The simulation platform must be identical
to the one you will be trading live in.
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Needs to provide Real Live Market Data.
No Delays or Missing Information.
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PSYCHOLOGY
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Build your TradeBook using strategies
that have been successful in your
simulation.
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Build the confidence in Real Live
Simulation environment before going
live.
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Make sure you can execute your
Strategy in the platform repeatedly.
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Don’t fool yourself. Simulation is as
good and effective as you make it.
Indicators that support your style of
trading. (Ex: Level 2 Market Depth)
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Trading Platform Comparison
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Steps in Execution
Direct Access & Discount Broker
You
place an
Order
Order sits on
the exchange,
and you get
matched with
buyer or seller
Execution
and
settlement
Commission Free
You
place an
Order
Order gets
rerouted to
a market
maker
Order gets
executed
via the
market
maker
Execution
and
settlement
Most commission free platform use a middleman to
execute your trades which leads to subpar entry and
exits in most cases.
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DAS Trader Pro
Das Trader Pro
Execution
One of the fastest and
most secure. Direct
access to L2 and
exchange
Speed
Best in class
Ease of use
Complex. Ideal for using
hot keys, short cuts and
multiple screen layouts.
Ideal for active day
traders.
DAS Trader pro is our recommended platform
Mobile application
Does have a mobile app,
but not very user friendly
and not an optimal UX
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Thinkorswim
Thinkorswim
Think or Swim is used by some of our
experienced moderators and traders
Execution
Very fast. Backed by TD
Ameritrade
Speed
Ideal for swing trading, not
recommended for day
trading
Ease of use
Complex. Ideal for option
trading, day trading and
swing trading. Using hot
keys is not as easy as
DAS
Mobile application
Does have a mobile app,
but not as user friendly as
Robinhood or Webull
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Trader Workstation
Interactive Brokers (TWS)
Trader Workstation is used by some of our
experienced moderators and traders
Execution
Very fast
Speed
Ideal for swing trading, Not
recommended for day
trading
Ease of use
Complex. Ideal for option
trading, and swing trading.
Using hot keys and
customized layouts are
not as easy as DAS
Mobile application
Does have a mobile app,
but not as user friendly as
Robinhood or Webull
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Free Commission Platforms
Commission free platforms
Execution
Slow. Not ideal for day
trading. For Robin Hood
orders get routed to
market maker for a fee
called payment for order
flow
Speed
Ideal for investing or
longer-term entries. Could
be okay for swing trading.
Ease of use
Simple. Extremely easy to
use and intuitive for the
end user. Some call it
gamification of investing
Mobile application
Mostly focused on mobile
app. Desktop functionality
is not as powerful
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Brokers and Platform Toe to Toe
Speed and
Execution
Legend
High
Moderate
Ease of Use
Ideal for day
trading
Recommended
by BBT
Low
DAS
Thinkorswim
Interactive Brokers (TWS)
Robinhood
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