PC setups, configurations, benchmarks and general recommendations

Because the interest is high among new users of SQX (i saw many topics with the same goal), i thought it would be a good idea to concentrate everything hardware related in one topic where new users but also more experienced ones, can easely find in one place what they are looking for. What to buy, what configuration, air or liquid cooled…etc.

This topic is designed to help users in choosing the most apropriate hardware configuration according to their budget, a new computer or an upgrade. Also, posting benchmarks for processors, general raw performance benchmarks as a guide but also examples of settings in SQX and the resulting performance for others to have an idea what expectations they can have from a certain processor.

I am sure the contribution of the more experienced users will be greatly appreciated by everyone.

For starters, in the following days and weeks, i will post different results (pairs and timeframes) on my configuration, an AMD 3700X (3,6Ghz 8 cores) and 32GB RAM.

To be relevant, we can agree on a minimum criteria, for example, each setting must be run at least 24 hours, and we can agree to count the accepted strategies/hour (in databank).

yes, indeed the problem is the insuficient airflow and the stock cooler

the insuficient airflow is due to the HDD racks which blocks the airflow coming into the chassis. Having a modern motherboard with M.2 on board slots, one M.2 SSD should be more than enough or one additional clasic SATA SSD. The chassis itself is an older model, modern chassis dont have that vertical HDD racks in front of the intake

also the stock cooler is insuficient, i would recommend something like Arctic Freezer 33 or equivalent. The stock cooler is not designed to handle 100% full load for extended periods.

I noticed in the pictures you put, a performance graphic card which is an additional heat producer, so besides having a weak airflow and weak CPU cooler, you have an additional source of heat. I assume you use the computer for other tasks also, besides generating strategies.

The general recommendation is the use a computer, only for SQ generating and nothing else because its more stable and reliable this way.

In theory, you should change the computer case and the CPU cooler, especially if you use a powerful graphic card.

i can show you pictures of my configuration for orientation

and another pic

Yeah, I use PC for engineering/rendering (Autocad/Sketchup/Vray/Lumion) so I need graphic card even this os just Nvidia 1650 so not big heating…….and after I finish work I usually turn on SQ to run until next morning 🙂 but will try to make a server with HDD from old PC and use new one only for SQ with 1 m.2 and with better PC case. What budget case do you suggest for the best airflow?

Yes, i have a list:

CoolerMaster MasterBox NR400
NZXT H400
Fractal Design Focus G mini
Cooler Master Masterbox Q300L
Thermaltake Versa H18
Antec VSK10
Antec P6
Aerocool Cylon Mini RGB
Silverstone PS15
Abkoncore Cronos C350M
Xigmatek OMG
Xigmatek Nemesis M

some of them only support mATX so you have to be careful in your search

i also have a list of cheaper air CPU coolers

140 mm
Bequiet Dark Rock 4 6x6mm heatpipes 135 mm fan, 16,00 cm, 920 gr,
Noctua NH-U14S 6 heatpipes 140 mm fan, 16,50 cm, 770 gr,
Cryorig H5 Ultimate 4x6mm heatpipes 140 mm fan, 16,00 cm, 853 gr,
120 mm
Bequiet Shadow Rock 3 5x6mm heatpipes 120 mm fan, 16,30 cm
Noctua NH-U12S SE-AM4 5 heatpipes 120 mm fan, 15,80 cm, 755 gr,
Scythe Mugen 5 Rev B 6 heatpipes 120 mm fan, 15,45 cm, 890 gr,
Arctic Freezer 33 4x6mm heatpipes

also when choosing a CPU cooler and PC case, be careful at the CPU cooler clearance of the case, in other words, make sure the cooler fits inside the case once mounted.

Thanks for all suggestions 🙂 I have ordered new case and few 120 and 140 fans + new CPU cooler so lets see if will be better:)

Now is time to learn to make good configuration and good EA 🙂 If not too much to ask, can you explain your workflow in few lines? Nothing to detail just to see where to focus my learning and understanding how all work to make better EA 🙂

regarding workflows for generating, its not about asking too much but its simply out of my area of expertise and intention

the SQ team members and trainers are the best and reliable source for support in such matters, with the exception of a few experienced traders

main reason is that you get a moral guarantee and help in case you dont get any results, that’s why i dont advise beginners to apply and follow just any advice from any anonymous user

Yeah understand 🙂 No problem.

Than the last technical question, did you maybe test if there is a big difference if you using 1 SQX instance on each core or for example   4 SQX instance at the same time to split work? (Let say you making random generation that doesn’t need much RAM memory)

Running more than one instance of SQ is practical only for the most expensive processors like the 64 core Threadripper 3990X which is 4.000 dollars

it doesn’t make any sense to run multiple instances on mainstream processors

https://www.servethehome.com/lenovo-thinkcentre-m715q-tiny-ce-review-amd-ryzen-tmm/

these mini PCs are a good alternative solution for keeping the strategies online, compared to a VPS

besides the thinkcentre tiny family, there is the Fujitsu Futro family, which is weaker but with passive cooling (no fans) and less power consumption

when keeping the platforms and strategies online, its always important to pay attention to the broker’s policy on archiving the trading history and always have a backup of the history especially on higher timeframes like daily

I brought myself a refurbished Fujitsu Futro with 80 euros,

AMD GX-217GA 1,65 Mhz Jaguar 28 nm, Fujitsu D33313-B1 motherboard manufactured by Kontron, 8GB DDR3 and 120GB SSD and 7W in idle

I have upgraded my system or “rig” from 3700X to 3900X and the CPU cooler to Arctic Freezer 34 esports

in the following weeks, i will be able to share comparative performance tests and i will be open to suggestions of tests from users

The new 5000 series of processors will be available from 5th of november and detailed tests will be posted by the well known tech sites but for those like me who have a 400 series chipset motherboard, they will have to wait until january for a BIOS update

i forgot to add that i brought the processor from the grey market as a sealed retail box with 304 EUR, a decent price given the circumstances

i made a few superficial tests with the 3900X on the same configuration and ambient as the old 3700X and the findings are:

temperatures: the 3900X runs definitely hotter than the 3700X, almost 8 – 9 C hotter and it requires a very good air cooler, cold ambient temperature or liquid cooling. I registered 75C which is alot but i will make adjustments.

power consumption/running costs: these are also bigger,  166W continuous in full load (compared with 122W on 3700X). This translates to around 110 – 115 Kw per month. Converted in money, it depends on the country, in my country, romania would be around 25 EUR per month.

I recap my configuration:

Processor: AMD 3900X

Motherboard: Gigabyte B450M DS3H

Memory: Corsair 64GB DDR4 3000 Mhz CL16  2 x CMK32GX4M2D3000C16

Video card: Zotac GT730 2GB DDR3 64 bit Zone Edition, passive cooling

SSD:  Samsung 970 EVO Plus M.2 500GB NVMe

Power supply: Super Flower Leadex Platinum 550W

Case: Coolermaster MasterBox Q300L

CPU cooler: Arctic Freezer 34 esports

Fans: Arctic F PWM with PST, 1 x 120 mm rear, 2 x 140 mm front, FDB

i forgot to mention that probably the most efficient approach regarding ambient temperatures, would be to generate from autumn until spring and in the summer when its too hot, especially in southern europe, to only make maintenance operations and upgrades

if we take a roughly 5 day period for generating a wining strategy on one pair/timeframe, then a winter season would be enough for generating a portfolio and in the summer, only make preparations and a calendar for the next season

temperatures in full load with the important mention that the system, the computer case is sitting with the intake, outside where its 1 to 3 C at the time, measurement taken in the morning

when its 15 to 20 C at noon, the temperatures measured are higher