Best Computers for Trading: Top Desktops & Buyers Guide

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When considering the best computers for trading, what are the specifications you need? Of course, a desktop needs a decent screen, and we covered those too, here. But then there are other considerations to make, to get the best experience possible when trading. If instead you also need or prefer laptops, we made a list of the top 6 here.

The specifications, to consider when choosing the best computer for trading, are the following:

• CPU: The central processing unit is at the core of all the calculations your computer makes. So, you need something powerful as your desktop will be receiving thousands of prices and calculating data for indicators, etc. We consider a computer for trading needs at least 2 cores and a clock speed of at least 2.4Ghz.
• RAM: This is the local memory, your computer uses it when making calculations, and as mentioned above a trading computer makes tons of them. We consider you’ll need at least 4GB of RAM. 
• Hard Disk: The hard disk used to be all about the amount of data available. That’s still true today, but importantly it has to be a Solid State Disk. PCs with SSD hard drives are up to 6 times faster than traditional SATA drives.
• Graphic Card: This is extremely important for visualizing multi-chart layouts with tons of indicators on each one. Also, important when you are going to have multiscreen setups.

Not all traders have the same requirements. A trader using automated trading at a high frequency on several markets simultaneously will need a lot more firepower than a discretionary trader involved in one or two markets.

However, all the computers chosen have a minimum high standard. A basic computer won’t cut it when it comes to trading. So, we’ve split our selection into entry-level, mid-range, and high-end computers.

Best High-End Computers 

1. Acer Aspire TC-1760-UA93 Desktop (Rating [usr4.4 size=30] $1,199.99)

This desktop computer for trading gets top marks in the high-end category for the immense firepower it has to offer. The CPU is a twelfth-generation i7 with 12 cores. The graphic card is a GeForce GTX 1660, and it has 16GB of RAM.

The specification will guarantee you can run hundreds of each with multiple indicators. At the same time while running automated trading software on several assets and at high frequency. And the graphic card will allow you to hook up several screens with no problems.

The operating system is Windows 11 Pro, so you won’t need to worry about the OS becoming obsolete any time soon.

You also get plenty of storage space to back up all your files related to trading and personal. It comes with an SSD of 512GB and an HDD of 1TB. The SSD is where the OS goes and keeps your PC functioning fast. While the extra HDD gives you that extra storage space.

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Pros

• Powerful Graphic card
• Powerful 12-core CPU
• Plenty of storage space

Cons

• Pricey

Specification Summary

CPU: Intel Core i7 – 12700F 12-core 

Clock Speed: Up to 4.9GHz

RAM: 16GB DDR4

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super

Hard Drives: SDD 512GB Plus HDD 1TB

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

2. HP Newest All-In-One Desktop 23.8″ Full HD Screen (Rating $979.00)

The HP All-in-one brings together powerful computer power with a wide-screen setup. The CPU is an eleventh generation i5 with 4 cores that runs at a very high 4.2Ghz on turbo boost. To make up for any slack an i5 CPU may bring this computer packs 32GB RAM. Creating plenty of firepower.

The graphic card is an integrated Intel Iris Xe. While that wouldn’t be enough to get you gaming, it certainly is fine for a single-screen setup and will handle high definition perfectly. The hard drive with the operating system is a 512GB SSD, making the pc nice and fast.

For extra storage space, you also get an HDD with 1TB, so you can back up everything you might need, not just your trading files. And for those that still use or have DVDs, this has a DVD slot incorporated into the side of the screen.

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Pros

• Powerful Specs
• Plenty of storage space
• Space saving setup

Cons

• Not the best for easy multiscreen setup

Specification Summary

CPU: Intel Core i5 – 1135G7 4-Core

Clock Speed: Up to 4.2GHz

RAM: 32GB DDR4

Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Integrated

Hard Drives: SDD 512GB Plus HDD 1TB

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Best mid-Range Computers

3. Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 Desktop (Rating $690.00)

This desktop computer comes with plenty of firepower at a relatively moderate price. The CPU is an Intel i5 tenth generation that can clock up to 4.3Ghz. Together with 12GB of RAM, that’s going to be plenty of computational power to run multiple charts and indicators.

There is only one solid-state disk hard drive with 512GB, so you would have to buy an external drive if you needed extra storage space. The graphics card is integrated so it’s not a high-end part of the machine. However, it will drive a maximum of 3 screens simultaneously. 

Overall, the Acer Aspire TC-895 offers plenty of power and speed to accommodate most traders’ needs. A lot of the speed comes from the RAM which has a transfer speed of 2666MHz. This computer also has a DVD player for those that still like to use them. 

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Pros

• Lots of speed and power for the price
• 6-Core processor

Cons

• Graphics specifications limited

Specification Summary

CPU: Intel Core i5 – 10400 6-Core

Clock Speed: Up To 4.3GHz

RAM: 12GB DDR4

Graphics: Intel UHD 630 Integrated

Hard Drives: SSD 512GB

Operating System: Windows 10 Home

4. HP 24-inch All-in-One Desktop Computer (Rating $599.99)

This HP all-in-one desktop is the smaller brother of the HP mentioned above. The differences lie in the core of this computer. This all-in-one has an AMD Athlon Silver 3050U, a respectable CPU with plenty of computational power. However, it’s still a few notches down from the hardware in its older brother.

The CPU only has 2 cores but has a clock speed of up to 3.2GHz coupled with 8GB of RAM with a transfer speed of 2400MHZ. Together that should prove more than sufficient for trading needs unless you are a high-frequency trader or automated trader on several markets.

The graphics card is a reliable integrated AMD Radeon. The exact specifications are not mentioned. However, we imagine this graphic card will run two screens if needed. More than that might become a burden on the CPU in any case.

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Pros

• Moderate price
• Space saver
• 8GB RAM at 2400MHz

Cons

• Not ideal for multiscreen setups
• Small Hard Disk 

Specification Summary

CPU: Athlon Silver 3050U 2-Core

Clock Speed: Up To 3.2 GHz

RAM: 8GB DDR4 2400 MHZ

Graphics: AMD Radeon Integrated

Hard Drives: SSD 256 GB

Operating System: Windows 10 Home

Best Entry-Level Computers

5. HP Pavillion desktop PC, AMD Ryzen 3 5300G (Rating $459.99)

This entry-level trading computer comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 5300G CPU. Don’t be fooled by the lesser-known AMD brand compared to Intel. AMD makes CPUs that can match Intel’s units and often at a cheaper price. There must be a reason why so many gamers choose AMD over Intel.

The Ryzen 3 has a top-end CPU base clock speed at 4 GHz, with 4 cores, and is coupled with 4GB of DDR4 RAM. The hard disk is a solid-state disk to ensure the best possible speed in multiple calculations. 

At this level of hardware, you still get a machine capable of multitasking and performing countless computations simultaneously. The graphics card is an AMD Radeon integrated into the motherboard.  This graphic card has 6 cores and a frequency of 1700MHz, so 2 monitors are going to be fine, more may weigh on the performance or simply not be possible.

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Pros

• High clock speed
• 4 cores
• SSD Hard drive

Cons

• Limited storage on SSD

Specification Summary

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 5300G 4-core

Clock Speed: 4GHz – Up To 4.2GHz

RAM: 4GD RAM DDR4 

Graphics: AMD Radeon Integrated

Hard Drives: SSD 256GB

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

6. HP Slim Desktop, AMD Athlon Gold 3150U (Rating $369.76)

This is the bare minimum we feel a trader should have when looking for the best computers for trading. This AMD CPU has a boost speed up to 3.3GHZ and 2 cores. Coupled with 8GB of RAM with a transfer speed of 2400MHz. 

We feel these specifications are more than sufficient to run multiple charts and indicators. Not advisable for those traders involved in high-frequency trading or automated trading across multiple markets.

The graphic card is an AMD Radeon integrated and will definitely supply crisp images. However, this graphic card only has 3 cores. So, we recommend one monitor, as large as you need, would achieve the best performance.

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Pros

• Top-end CPU from AMD
• 8GB Ram at 2400MHZ
• Well priced

Cons

• Limited graphics card
• Small hard disk

Specification Summary

CPU: AMD Athlon Gold 3150U 2-Core

Clock Speed: Up to 3.3GHz

RAM: 8GD RAM DDR4 2400Mhz

Graphics: AMD Radeon Integrated

Hard Drives: SSD 256GB

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Conclusion

This is our round-up in the search for the best computer for trading. Some of the computers listed have a relatively small hard drive if you are also going to use them for other files such as photos or videos.

However, nowadays it’s very easy to get an external drive for storage and just plug it into a USB. Some PCs come with an extra slot in the motherboard to add another hard drive. But that we feel is complicated for most people, and external drives are relatively cheap.

If you’re looking for a machine for high-frequency trading or automated trading, you may want to consider one of the top-end on our list. Lower specifications may create complications with a lag or small freezes due to the heavy workload implied.

As a trader, your physical tools are of the most importance. There is no doubt that every good craftsman has good tools. So, it may be worth investing that bit extra to get a better-performing machine. 

Bottom Line

However, there is one aspect many traders overlook, and that is community. We all know how a very large majority of retail or individual traders lose their money. While the majority of institutional traders make money. Some statistics place the percentage of losing traders as high as 85%.

And there is a very plain and simple reason. Institutional traders do not trade alone. They have a vast team of analysts and economists giving them all the information they need. In fact, their teams go through all the fundamental and technical data.

Putting it simply, for most individuals it’s almost impossible to achieve the same level of analysis. Having said that, a multitude of companies offer their stock picking services. We have weeded out the unworthy and discovered some of the top firms out there. You can read their reviews here.