There are new and exciting technologies for trading computers in 2023. Simply purchasing a computer with the latest and fastest processor is not the only consideration. You must maximize every aspect of the current technology. In this article, we’ll explore the exciting new advancements that make investing in a desktop computer in 2023 more compelling than ever before.
It’s such an exciting time to buy a new computer. Finally, after roughly 8 to 9 years we are moving from DDR4 RAM to all new DDR5 RAM. DDR5 represents the next stage in the development of PC memory, with a primary emphasis on boosting the density and bandwidth of RAM, while concurrently reducing power consumption.
DDR5 technology is a significant step forward from the current DDR4 standard in terms of memory capacity. While the most consumer DDR4 modules max out at 32GB, DDR5 technology can provide four times the capacity. This means that a standard mainstream PC that features four DDR4 DIMM slots that can hold up to 128GB of RAM. A new system with DDR5 support, could in theory accommodate up to 512GB. Moreover, high-end systems with eight DDR5 DIMM slots could support up to a mind-boggling 1TB of RAM, making them ideal for advanced computing applications that require massive amounts of memory. This is currently way more than even the best motherboards support, but down the road it might be possible. Right now, having 128GB is considered a massive amount of RAM and is overkill for even the most hardcore users. But it’s nice to know the upper limits are expanding.
Right now, the Z790 systems support up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM. OC means overclocked memory which we don’t recommend for stability concerns. Traders need their computers to be as stable as possible. For this reason, we like DDR5-4800 RAM. Crucial makes a fantastic 64GB kit of two 32GB sticks at 1.1V CL40.
According to Micron, a leading manufacturer of RAM, the performance boost provided by DDR5 modules over DDR4 is quite significant. At the same data transfer rate of 3200 MT/s, Micron observed a 36% increase in bandwidth with DDR5 modules. In addition, the company reported that a DDR5-4800 module demonstrated an 87% increase in performance compared to a similar DDR4-3200 module in their testing.
Nope. You’ll need a new computer with a motherboard that supports DDR5. Only newer chipsets with 12th Gen and above Intel processors support DDR5 and AMD 7000 series or above.
Currently, the fastest available iteration of the PCI Express specification is PCIe Gen 4, which represents the fourth and most recent generation of this technology. It succeeded PCIe Gen 3 and offers superior performance.
For over a decade now, PCIe has been the go-to interface for linking high-speed components to computer motherboards. The announcement of the fourth generation of this interface, PCIe 4.0 standard, dates back to 2017, yet it took until 2019 for SSDs and graphics cards to start incorporating this new technology. Fast forward to today, PCIe 4.0 is generating a lot of buzz for its technological breakthrough, whether it be for SSDs, GPUs, motherboards, or high-powered expansion cards. Now in 2023, Gen 4 is the new standard. But what exactly is PCIe Gen 4? Let’s delve into the fundamentals.
You have 4 main factors that determine the performance of your trading computer, in no particular order:
By leveraging both the NVMe protocol and the high-speed PCIe bus, PCIe NVMe SSDs provide significantly faster data transfer rates and improved response times compared to their SATA SSD counterparts. Essentially, these solid-state drives utilize cutting-edge technology to deliver superior performance.
The introduction of high-speed PCIe NVMe SSDs created a bottleneck in SSD performance due to the limited bandwidth of PCIe Gen 3. However, PCIe Gen 4 has effectively addressed this bottleneck by providing greater bandwidth, enabling PCIe NVMe SSDs to achieve significantly faster read and write speeds for data transfer.
The greater available bandwidth of PCIe 4.0 platforms make them an excellent choice for data-intensive tasks. By using a PCIe 4.0 interface, SSDs can deliver faster application loading times, and significantly reduce boot-up time. After the computer has posted the motherboard boot screen, the time it takes to fully load the operating system is significantly faster than older SATA SSDs and Gen 4 is much improved over Gen 3 NVMe SSDs. Additionally, PCIe 4.0 provides power-saving features, allowing for cooler device operation and reduced power consumption. As more products continue to adopt PCIe 4.0 it’s quickly becoming the industry standard. We recommend only using a Gen 4 NVMe SSD for your boot drive in 2023 and going forward into 2024 and beyond.
With new NVMe M.2 SSD drives, there are a lot of considerations including performance and price. At any given time, we have one or two favorite NVMe SSD drives. These drives can change so be sure to check out our trading computers to see what we’re currently using. At the time this article was written, our favorite 1TB drive is the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus. This is what we would consider the “best” 1TB drive for 2023. We also like a lot of the Samsung drives and continue to offer those for our customers.
If you have a motherboard with PCIe 4.0 NVMe slots, then it’s critical to maximize your system’s potential by pairing it with a fast Gen4 NVMe SSD. With technology advancing at a rapid pace, the future promises to be even faster, and the Rocket 4 Plus NVMe SSD takes full advantage of the unprecedented speed and performance of PCIe 4.0, pushing its limits to new heights.
We mostly use the ASUS Prime Z790-P, but we also have an optional upgrade to the ASUS ProArt Z790-Creator motherboard.
These motherboards are a marvel of modern hardware engineering. Designed to handle the high core counts and bandwidth demands of 13th Gen Intel Core Processors, these ASUS Z790 motherboards boast an array of features that make them the perfect choice for anyone looking to take their computing experience to the next level.
As we move further into the future, the technology that we rely on continues to evolve and improve. One exciting recent trend in the world of motherboards is the inclusion of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features as standard components instead of expensive upgrades. With the release of the Z790 chipset in 2022, we are seeing this trend take hold, making it easier than ever to stay connected to the internet and other devices without the need for additional hardware. This is a promising development for users who value convenience and simplicity. No need to add on expensive aftermarket PCIe Wi-Fi cards with most of the motherboards we are using in 2023. While this isn’t on all of the low-cost boards, most of the mid-range and expensive boards carry these connectivity features. The shift towards including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as standard features is a promising trend that we hope will continue in the future with Intel’s upcoming chipsets.
Shown below is the back panel on an ASUS ProArt Z790-Creator motherboard. In addition to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth this motherboard also as dual Ethernet ports with one of them supporting 10GB.
In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, there are a ton of connectivity on the new Z790 motherboards.
| ASUS Prime Z790-P Motherboard | ASUS ProArt Z790-Creator Motherboard | |
| Display | Integrated – 1x DisplayPort and 1x HDMI port. We use dedicated cards that will typically be used instead of the integrated ports so more monitors are supported for traders. | Integrated – 2x DisplayPort input port for Thunderbolt 4. 1x HDMI port. We use dedicated cards that will typically be used instead of the integrated ports so more monitors are supported for traders. |
| USB | 8 Total USB Ports: 2x USB 2.0 Ports (Type-A) 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Ports (Type-A) 2x USB 2.0 Ports (Type-A) 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port (Type-A) | 8 Total USB Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 Ports (USB4 compliant) 6x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports |
| Ethernet | 2.5Gb Ethernet Port | 10Gb & 2.5Gb Ethernet Ports |
| Audio | 3x Audio Jacks | 5x Audio Jacks |
| Wi-Fi | Intel Wi-Fi 6 | Intel Wi-Fi 6E |
| USB Motherboard Headers | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connector 2x USB 2.0 Headers 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header Thunderbolt (USB4) Header | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C Front-Panel Connector with 60W Quick Charge 4+ 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Header 2x USB 2.0 Headers |
| SATA | 4x SATA 6GB/s | 8x SATA 6GB/s |
| M.2 Slots | 3x PCIe 4.0 M.2 Slots (one with heatsink) | 4x PCIe 4.0 M.2 Slots (all with heatsinks) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
In the realm of computer hardware, cooling is a crucial factor in achieving high-performance levels. One way to enhance the cooling capabilities of a motherboard is through the use of massive heatsinks. These heatsinks provide an extensive surface area that covers the VRMs and chokes, promoting efficient heat dissipation. Additionally, the use of specially engineered thermal pads helps to transfer heat from the MOSFETs and chokes, resulting in improved cooling performance. By utilizing these advanced cooling solutions, users can push their systems to their limits without the worry of overheating or reduced performance. The incorporation of these features highlights the continuous efforts of manufacturers to deliver high-quality, high-performance hardware to their users.
The future of technology is incredibly promising, and our current selection of trading computers reflects this. Our latest builds incorporate cutting-edge components that represent the pinnacle of modern engineering. With sound dampening Fractal Design cases and silent fans, our machines run more quietly than ever before. And with features such as DDR5 RAM, PCIe 4.0, and integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6, our newest models offer an unrivaled level of performance and connectivity. Check out our complete range of trading computers to experience the future of computing today.