Computer Upgrade For ThinkOrSwim

[HushPuppy]

@MerryDay
Might you advise your current computer setup? Laptop/PC, number of monitors etc.

I currently trade on a 16in MBP with 16ram and one 2K 27in monitor. That give me the needed real-estate to focus on the 2 instruments being traded. Perfect in the future I will expand if I trade more instruments.

Looking forward to your some feedback. Thanks

 

[MerryDay]

@MerryDay
Might you advise your current computer setup? Laptop/PC, number of monitors etc.

I currently trade on a 16in MBP with 16ram and one 2K 27in monitor. That give me the needed real-estate to focus on the 2 instruments being traded. Perfect in the future I will expand if I trade more instruments.

Looking forward to your some feedback. Thanks

I run multiple instances of ToS as detailed here:
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/...ple-windows-computers.4120/page-2#post-143018

My hardware setup:
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/thinkorswim-on-multiple-monitors.17701/#post-137417

 

[HushPuppy]

I run multiple instances of ToS as detailed here:
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/...ple-windows-computers.4120/page-2#post-143018

My hardware setup:
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/thinkorswim-on-multiple-monitors.17701/#post-137417

Thank you very much for the details.

 

[IHopeToLearn]

Hi this setup
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/agaig-daytrading-scalping-for-success-in-thinkorswim.20383/
looks and sounds promising, however it has so MANY scripts and my system is struggling already (I have been trying all sorts of ideas so it's my fault) and I have a iMac w/i9 processor and 64gig ram.

 

[shisha1999]

Really cool indicator both visually and providing trade signals.
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/agaig-daytrading-scalping-for-success-in-thinkorswim.20383/
After I installed the indicator, I noticed all of my charts ran slower especially one chart that is tick based.

I use a Dell T7810 Precision Tower with two Intel Xeon E5-2630 @ 2.4 GHz and 64 GB ram. I do have 9 chart windows running including 1 MC chart for AGAIG. In the background, I have my Google Chrome window running with 44 windows open, 1 of them is for web based trading.

I captured my computer performance just after the FOMC meeting on 1/29 11:03 AM PST with CPU at 11%, Memory at 42% AND GPU AT 12%.

I was wondering if anyone else ran into the same experience with their computer running slower. Is the solution simply to buy more RAM, I guess go to 128 GB?

I have definitely noticed my charts run better when I have AGAIG not running. When I do open the chart, computer is bogged down. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this and suggestions to correct. Appreciate any replies.

 

[Khaynes]

@csricksdds Great Strat. Question for you and anyone else using this tool what are your TOS settings for performance? I tried loading into my live account and it just kept saying getting data. Since I know I have other high performing indicators, I switched to my demo (paper trading) and was able to load it.

 

[useThinkScript]

Bad news, macOS needs to be at least 11+ and Windows must be at least 10+ otherwise you are SOL
Also, there has been isolated issues with certain ISP providers not working well with ToS recently.
(Spectrum being the worst offender).

Good news, if your OS version is compatible, computer specs are minimal to run the ToS app because everything runs on the ToS servers.
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/computer-upgrade-for-thinkorswim.5356/#post-50358

More good news, AGAIG charts do not slow down your machine.
Again, charts, scanner, orders, run on the Schwab servers, your rig just has to load them.

So where does your problems lie?
Most probably with other programs/tabs that you have open
OR
in your ToS settings and / or libraries.

Start here:
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/ideal-memory-usage-settings-for-thinkorswim.10201/#post-128355
move on to here:
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/...ple-windows-computers.4120/page-2#post-143018

If nothing works, ToS support can log on to your computer; and view your lag issues and help find the solutions.

Many traders on the forum are running multiple rigs with 6–8 monitors with dozens of charts, with over 100 indicators, watchlists, and detached widgets with no delay,

@IHopeToLearn @shisha1999 @Khaynes

 

[rad14733]

I use a Dell T7810 Precision Tower with two Intel Xeon E5-2630 @ 2.4 GHz and 64 GB ram. I do have 9 chart windows running including 1 MC chart for AGAIG. In the background, I have my Google Chrome window running with 44 windows open, 1 of them is for web based trading.

Having been in the IT Consulting business for 36+ years, having 44 tabs open in a single Google Chrome browser is, well, insane... Virtually every time I have a customer complaining about slow performance I discover that they have WAY too many browser tabs open, sometimes even more than you are running... Then as I check the tabs I find a bunch open to the same email inbox, the same bank account summary page (expired), and on and on... Once I convince them that anything over 8 browser tabs starts to be unmanageable a majority of their problem disappears... And once I convince them that they don't need every program they "might" use during the day open all the time, the problem is further reduced - usually to the point where performance is vastly improved... Which raises the question, why the heck do you "need" 44 tabs open at all times...??? Do you really think Google Chromes memory manager and kernel are that efficient...???

Remember, a PC has only so many processors and can only handle so many threads... So if Google Chrome is using a single thread it has to manage multitasking of all of the tabs open... And while Thinkorswim can theoretically use multiple cpu cores Java still needs its kernel to handle multitasking, memory management, and garbage collection... So you see how quickly it all adds up between cores, threads, programs, multitasking, etc... Throwing more memory at a the problem won't really help... Running a clean, lean, machine is the only real answer... That or spreading the burden between multiple PC's, whether all running their own mouse and keyboard or by using a KVM Switch... I also run PC optimization routines almost daily to keep my PC's running at their best...

Just some food for thought from someone who has been in the trenches since before Windows 95 was even a thing... I even beta tested Chicago pre-release of Windows and was a bit-fiddler to optimize memory and storage requirements for our then very low powered PC's... My first PC in 1984 had a 1Mhz CPU, a whopping 16K of RAM, and two 160K 5.25" single sided floppy drives so, yeah, I've been there and done that...

 

[MerryDay]

I agree with @rad14733 If you have other analysis or business to do on all those other tabs, you should consider opening all those tabs on a separate laptop or rig. And having your current machine just run your TOS app.

Use KVM or Mouse Without Borders to connect the rigs and apps together.
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/...ple-windows-computers.4120/page-2#post-143018

 

[invesTOS]

Really cool indicator both visually and providing trade signals.
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/agaig-daytrading-scalping-for-success-in-thinkorswim.20383/
After I installed the indicator, I noticed all of my charts ran slower especially one chart that is tick based.

I use a Dell T7810 Precision Tower with two Intel Xeon E5-2630 @ 2.4 GHz and 64 GB ram. I do have 9 chart windows running including 1 MC chart for AGAIG. In the background, I have my Google Chrome window running with 44 windows open, 1 of them is for web based trading.

I captured my computer performance just after the FOMC meeting on 1/29 11:03 AM PST with CPU at 11%, Memory at 42% AND GPU AT 12%.

I was wondering if anyone else ran into the same experience with their computer running slower. Is the solution simply to buy more RAM, I guess go to 128 GB?

I have definitely noticed my charts run better when I have AGAIG not running. When I do open the chart, computer is bogged down. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this and suggestions to correct. Appreciate any replies.

I have a Dell Precision Workstation with dual Nvidia graphics cards and eight 4k monitors. I run 4 separate ThinkOrSwim instances:

1. Long-term and tick charts (tick charts load slower, but not appreciably).
2. Shorter-term charts
3. Active trader, position statements, current positions watchlist, message center (for trading and monitoring)
4. Scans, watchlists, news widget, alerts

My setup shows no significant RAM or CPU load from ToS. Occasional nano-spikes in ISP usage occur. ToS degradation only happens during high Schwab server loads, typically at market open and close.

I travel for work. Performance varies by region, Schwab server, and ISP. Spectrum has compatibility issues with Schwab's security protocols.

If ToS performs poorly, consider other open applications. I run AutoCAD and graphical software but close them during market open/close.

AGAIG setups don't use complex scripts. They are an unlikely cause of your issues.