Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest results?

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Forex500
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Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest results?

Postby Forex500 » 11 Sep 2010

I am optimizing my trading strategy using MCFX Pro and the optimization that I run for my strategy takes a while to process, because I have alot of variables and inputs in my signal and am doing a lot of optimization tests. Currently i'm doing these tests with my laptop that has a Core 2 Duo processor, which is not adequate. I decided the best thing for me to do is to build a very fast PC, so it can get done faster. I was told that by default the optimization process uses all the cores of the CPU to optimize and the more cores the faster the optimization; The frequency of a core affect how fast one calculation is performed while the number of cores affect the number of simultaneous calculations that can be performed

So my question is for everyone, In your opinion What is the best CPU or CPU combination with motherboard I should use to have MC Optimization give the fastest results in the shortest times? I heard that the best thing for me to do is to get a 4 socket motherboard with 6 core CPU so a total of 24 quick cores. Should I use Intel or AMD? New Xeon 6 cores or Opteron 8/12 cores? 2 socket motherboard or 4 socket ? What do you think and why? Has anyone tested anything like this with different CPUs to see which one performed the best in MC Optimization? I am solely going to use this PC for trading. I'm sure there is people out there that know more than me on these types of things and I would appreciate your help.

Your input will greatly benefit me and everyone who reads this.

Thank You

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TJ
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Re: Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest resu

Postby TJ » 11 Sep 2010

1. Buy the most expensive computer YOU can afford.

2. I prefer Intel, but I heard the latest AMD is faster.

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virginiatrader
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Re: Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest resu

Postby virginiatrader » 12 Sep 2010

Forex500:

When I was younger, I used to work in hotrod shops. Having built many race engines, and now, years later, working in IT as a computer hardware and networking specialist, the two industries meld together well: the biggest engine or CPU/processor means nothing unless the REST of the build is optimized.

For computers, the CPU is only one component that needs to be considered. The builder needs to look at their choice of motherboard/mainboard, amount of memory and memory speed, video/graphics card, hard disk size and throughput, operating system, etc., and work to ensure that these components compliment each other.

For example, the fastest multi-core processor will only transfer data at the highest throughput rate of the local bus on the motherboard. Main memory speeds from 533-800 MHz for lower end systems to 1333-1600 MHz for high end rigs make a difference. The amount of memory is important, too. Motherboard manufacturers differ as to how many memory slots are built in. Also, the 32bit versions of operating systems such as Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista, and now Windows 7 will "see" only up to about 4Gigs of memory, and use less than that, whereas the 64bit versions of the same OS's will see and address almost all installed memory.

Hard drive choice plays a role in performance. Even the fastest SATA3 drives do not compete with the new solid-state hard drives (SSD). The problem with SSDs is that size-for-size measurement, they are WAY more expensive, so most builders will use them for just the OS installation, and not for applications or data storage.

There are many factors that must be considered when building a computer for "race performance", so to speak. I hope that I have not popped your brain, or dissuaded you in our efforts.

Good luck and good trading...

virginiatrader

Tresor
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Re: Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest resu

Postby Tresor » 12 Sep 2010

Wait two or three months for Sandy Bridge by Intel or Bulldozer by AMD. Tests of the early samples show a 50% performance increase of the to-be-lauched CPUs over the current models:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3871/the- ... s-in-a-row

janus
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Re: Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest resu

Postby janus » 12 Sep 2010

Wait two or three months ....

.. and wait another 3 months and there will be yet something else a lot faster. Computers keep getting faster so there's really no point in waiting - just buy what you can afford. I always buy something like the second fastest PC of the day to save a lot of money knowing full well that if I bought the fastest I would be disappointed in a matter of months when something comes out that's faster at the same price or less.

Forex500
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Re: Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest resu

Postby Forex500 » 13 Sep 2010

To everyone who replied thank you for your input.

Ok this is what I'm thinking of going with thus far... If anyone has any advice to change something or add something your input is welcome.

CPU: (2) AMD Opteron 6128 Magny-Cours 2.0GHz 8 x 512KB L2 Cache 12MB L3 Cache Socket G34 115W 8-Core Server Processor - Only $280.99 each, not bad considering the number of cores.

Motherboard: ASUS KGPE-D16 Dual Socket G34 AMD SR5690 SSI EEB 3.61 Dual 8/12 Core AMD Opteron 6000 series - $439.99 (there is really not that much choices for Dual socket G34)

I'm still trying to find out if these CPUs are overclockable, would be nice.

Tresor
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Re: Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest resu

Postby Tresor » 13 Sep 2010

CPU benchmark (your choice inclusive): http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

Yves BENOIT
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Re: Best PC setup makes MC Optimization produce fastest resu

Postby Yves BENOIT » 30 Nov 2010

More professionnal look at

SPEC, Benchmarks CPU2006 Results
http://www.spec.org/cgi-bin/osgresults?conf=cpu2006

or
TPC-C - Top Ten Performance Results
http://www.tpc.org/tpcc/results/tpcc_perf_results.asp


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