I'm not using the mac pro - but then I don't have the need you seem to have. BUT if I did that's they way I'd go (given the unlimited budget). I'd also stick with 32 bit AB for reasons stated above.
d On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 8:18 AM, phlsti <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > go to www.tradingcomputers.com for the hottest trading hardware setups > (I just own one, don't have any financial interest in them) > > --- In [email protected], "Mike" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Hi, > > > > Given an unlimited budget (helps to identify what is possible, even if > > not practical), what hardware configuration can deliver the best AB > > performance? > > > > There have been a number of threads touching on the topic. But, I'd > > like to see if I can capture insights in a single place, and to > > reflect the advancements available today. > > > > Any comments on any or all sections below would be much appreciated. > > > > My personal use case is for running custom backtests against 10 years > > of EOD data across thousands of symbols. Others may feel free to add a > > slant of their own in their replies. > > > > CPU: > > ---- > > In messages #125311 and #125420 Fred has demonstrated how a multi core > > system can be leveraged using MCO (see files section) to have > > AmiBroker utilize all cores. Source: > > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/125311? > > threaded=1&l=1 > > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/125420? > > threaded=1&l=1 > > > > - Can MCO still be used when the AFL employs AddToComposite? Does this > > equate to overlapping writes that Tomasz warned against in message > > #124368? Does MCO have a /IOPath equivalent to get around this as > > described by Paul regarding IO in message #124432? Source: > > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/124368 > > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/124432 > > > > - Are there any chip sets that are particularly better suited for > > AmiBroker backtesting? For example; Intel offers Core 2 Extreme QX > > series as well as Xeon 5400 series. From what I've read, despite > > identical specs, "the four pre-fetchers inside an X5482 are optimised > > for running workstation/server applications such as CAD, 3D rendering > > and databases, the pre-fetchers in the QX9775 are tuned for desktop > > applications and games." Am I correct in assuming that AmiBroker would > > fall more into the desktop application category? Source: > > http://www.custompc.co.uk/reviews/601998/intel-skulltrail.html > > > > If the difference is not too drastic, the right motherboard paired > > with a $300-$400 Xeon can easily be overclocked to match a stock $1500 > > QX9775. Source: > > http://techgage.com/article/building_an_affordable_skulltrail_system/5 > > > > - Is there any evidence that AmiBroker would be better off in a single > > chip setup (i.e. single quad core) vs. two chips (i.e. dual socket > > quad core)? I've seen benchmarks where single chips outperformed > > paired chips simply because software could not take advantage of more > > than 4 cores. Yet, Fred's MCO setup would seem to have worked around > > that limitation. > > > > Memory: > > ------- > > In message #124353 Tomasz has said that it is the RAM that is the > > limiting factor for heavy optimizations since they will not fit in the > > L2 cache. Similarly, in message #125651 Tomasz has said that "For > > optimum performance, as much RAM as you can have and CPU with fast > > floating point unit..." is the way to go. Source: > > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/124353 > > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/125651? > > threaded=1&l=1 > > > > - Does this imply that it would be better to move to a 64bit OS just > > to gain access to more RAM? Is the RAM access on a 64bit OS still > > maxed out at 4GB when running 32bit applications (compared to the > > standard 2-3GB on a 32bit OS) as indicated in message #94875? Source: > > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/94875 > > > > - Does the latency of FB-DIMM DDR2 800 have much of an impact on > > AmiBroker as compared to plain DDR2 memory? There are motherboards out > > there that allow big overclocking opportunities, but they use FB-DIMM > > DDR2 memory. Would increased CPU speeds outweigh the penalty of FB- > > DIMM memory? > > > > - Is there a recommended swap file size? Tomasz has said that having a > > swap file is better than not having one. Is there any benifet/drawback > > of having a larger file vs. smaller file? Source: > > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/124434 > > > > Hard Drive: > > ----------- > > Hard drives typically come in 7200 RPM but are also available in 10000 > > RPM, either of which can be arranged in a Raid 0 setup for further > > gains in speed. > > > > - Running nothing but AmiBroker and having 12MB of L2 cache with 4GB > > of RAM, would 10 years of EOD across 8000 symbols need to access the > > drive beyond the first loading? > > > > - Would a 10000 RPM drive or Raid configuration result in any > > noticeable improvement in the above scenario? > > > > OS: > > --- > > 32bit Windows vs. 64bit Windows. > > > > - The AmiBroker website claims 25% speedup running 64bit AmiBroker on > > 64bit OS. It also says that 32bit plugins will not work with 64bit > > AmiBroker, and that there are no 64bit data plugins available. Could > > someone please clarify what is meant by data plugin in this context? > > Specifically; If running a 64bit OS, would we have to run 32bit > > AmiBroker to use a database from TC2007 or Premium Data? Or does this > > just apply to plugins like the Interactive Brokers TWS Plugin? Source: > > http://www.amibroker.com/x64/ > > > > - Are there any arguments in favor or against running 64bit Windows XP > > vs. Windows Vista? > > > > - Are there any arguments in favor or against the various versions of > > Vista as compared to each other (e.g. Business vs. Home vs. ...). > > > > Thanks. > > > > Mike > > > > P.S. In a perfect world, the information from this post could be > > cleaned up and posted as a topic in the UKB, also potentially > > satisfying Herman's request at > > http://www.amibroker.com/feedback/view_bug.php?bug_id=1461 > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > **** IMPORTANT **** > This group is for the discussion between users only. > This is *NOT* technical support channel. > > ********************* > TO GET TECHNICAL SUPPORT from AmiBroker please send an e-mail directly to > SUPPORT {at} amibroker.com > ********************* > > For NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTS and other news always check DEVLOG: > http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/ > > For other support material please check also: > http://www.amibroker.com/support.html > > ********************************* > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > >
