Optimize ThinkorSwim Application Settings

[antwerks]

Below is a practical guide of what you can do — both in the TOS app settings and on your computer/network — to get the fastest, smoothest performance possible.
1. Optimize ThinkorSwim Application Settings
You can access all of these under
Setup → Application Settings → General / System / Memory / Display

System & Memory Settings

• Increase Memory Allocation
  • Go to Setup → Application Settings → Memory
  • If you have at least 16 GB of RAM, set:
    • Minimum memory = 1024 MB
    • Maximum memory = 4096–8192 MB
  • Click Apply Settings → restart TOS.
  • Why: TOS uses Java; giving it more RAM reduces lag on charts and scans.
• Disable Unused Modules
  • Setup → Application Settings → Startup
  • Uncheck items you don’t use (e.g., “OnDemand,” “Active Trader,” “Options Hacker”) to reduce background loading.

Connection Settings

• Set Quote Speed to “Real-Time (No Delay)”
  • Setup → Application Settings → General → Quote Speed
  • Select No Delay (requires live data subscriptions).
• Manually Choose a Data Server
  • Setup → Application Settings → System → Network
  • Check “Specify proxy or server” → Click “Change data server” → test a few to see which gives lowest latency.
  • Usually New York (NY) or Chicago (CH) works best for U.S. traders.
• Force TCP (disable UDP)
  • Still under System → Network, check “Force TCP Protocol.”
  • More stable over residential ISPs — can reduce dropped ticks or freezes.

Display and Chart Settings

• Reduce Chart Load
  • Fewer indicators, shorter lookbacks = faster rendering.
  • Right-click chart → Time Frame Setup → use “1 Day / 1 Min” instead of large time frames when scalping.
• Limit historical data under Chart Settings → Time Axis → Load # bars.
• Turn off shadows/gradients under Application Settings → Display if using older GPU.

2. Optimize Your Internet Connection

Setting	Recommendation
Connection type	Use wired Ethernet — avoid Wi-Fi if possible.
Speed	At least 50 Mbps download / 10 Mbps upload.
Latency	Ping to tdameritrade.com or schwab.com ideally < 30 ms.
Router QoS	Prioritize your PC’s IP address for trading data.
DNS	Try Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) DNS for faster resolution.
VPN	Avoid using VPNs — they often add latency unless it’s a dedicated trading route.

3. Computer Performance Tips

• Close other apps — browsers, streaming, etc. consume CPU and network.
• Use SSD storage — TOS reads/write log/cache files constantly.
• Update Java (if separate) and GPU drivers.
• Reboot daily before market open to clear memory.

4. Server & Cache Maintenance

• Reset TOS Cache
  • Exit ThinkorSwim
  • Navigate to
    C:\Users\<YourName>\thinkorswim
  • Delete or rename the folder usergui or userpref.xml (TOS recreates them).
  • Re-launch → faster load and fewer freezes.
• Check TOS Version
  • Always use the latest Charles Schwab ThinkorSwim build.
  • Help → About → Compare with Schwab TOS downloads page.

5. Optional Advanced Steps

• Create a dedicated Windows power profile
  • Control Panel → Power Options → High Performance
  • Disable CPU throttling and sleep timers.
• Run TOS with High Priority
  • In Task Manager → Details tab → right-click thinkorswim.exe → Set Priority → High.
• Use wired UPS + surge protection
  • Prevents lag or disconnects during brief power dips.

 

[antwerks]

→ System → Memory

Setting	Recommended	Why
Minimum memory (MB)	1024	Prevents sluggish start-up
Maximum memory (MB)	6144 – 8192	Gives Java enough room for charts & scans
Garbage collector	Leave Default	Balanced performance

➡ Click “Apply settings” → Restart TOS


2. Network Connection
Setup → Application Settings → System → Network

Option	Recommended	Benefit
Force TCP protocol	Checked	More stable feed on most ISPs
Change data server	Test and choose Chicago (CH) or New York (NY)	Lowest latency to CME/NASDAQ feeds
Proxy	Leave blank	Avoids extra routing
Allow multiple feeds	Checked	Redundant tick sources

After selecting a server, watch the bottom-left connection meter. Pick the one with the smallest ping (ms) and fewest packet losses.

3. General Tab
Setup → Application Settings → General

Setting	Recommendation
Quote speed	Real-Time (No Delay)
Keep time zone synced
Auto-save workspace
Launch on startup	Off (manual launch = cleaner memory)

4. Display / Chart Rendering
Setup → Application Settings → Display

Option	Setting	Effect
Graphics quality	Medium – High	Smooth charts without overloading GPU
Animate price updates	Off	Faster tick rendering
Gradient fills / shadows	Off	Less GPU draw time
Chart margin	10 – 15 pixels	Efficient viewport
Crosshair mode	Global + Static	Less repainting

For multi-monitor setups, set each chart grid to no more than 8 charts for best redraw speed.

5. Startup Modules
Setup → Application Settings → Startup

Uncheck anything you rarely use:
☐ OnDemand
☐ Option Hacker
☐ Active Trader (if you trade manually elsewhere)
☐ Analyze if not doing Greeks


Keep Charts, Scan, Monitor, Trade only.
This reduces load time and background CPU usage.


6. Chart-Specific Tweaks
On any chart → ⚙ Settings → Time Axis / Price Axis

Setting	Recommended
Time range	Use smaller lookback (e.g., “10 Days / 5 Min”)
# of bars to load	2000 – 3000 max
Show volume subgraph	Off (if not needed)
Fewer indicators	Limit to 3–5 per chart

7. File / Cache Maintenance
Once every few weeks:

1. Exit TOS
2. Delete cached logs:
   C:\Users\<YourName>\thinkorswim\logs
   and optionally usergui, userpref.xml
3. Re-launch → it rebuilds fresh cache.

This clears corrupted or oversized logs that slow startup.



8. Windows / Hardware Optimization

Task	Setting
Power plan	Control Panel → Power Options → High Performance
Network	Wired Ethernet > Wi-Fi
DNS	1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8
Firewall / AV	Whitelist thinkorswim.exe
Disk	SSD > HDD
Priority	Task Manager → Details → Right-click thinkorswim.exe → Set Priority → High

9. Monitor Connection Health
Bottom-left of TOS window:

• Green dot = Good (low latency)
• Yellow = Packet loss / lag
• Red = Disconnected

If yellow/red frequently → try Change Data Server again or restart router.


10. Optional Pro Tips

• Launch with -Xmx8G Java flag (for power users): create a shortcut that allocates 8 GB max RAM.
• Run as Administrator to allow priority thread scheduling.
• Reboot each morning before pre-market open — clears memory fragmentation.

---

Quick Reference Summary

Section	Setting	Value
Memory	Min 1024 / Max 8192
Protocol	TCP
Server	Chicago or NY
Quote Speed	No Delay
Startup Modules	Charts + Scan + Trade + Monitor only
Cache	Clear monthly
Connection	Wired Ethernet
Power Plan	High Performance

With this configuration, most traders see:

• 30–50 % faster load times
• Lower data-feed lag (1–2 sec → < 300 ms)
• Smoother chart panning & zooming