9 Do's & Don'ts Traders Can't Ignore

Don’t place another trade on that computer before you hear this!

Seriously—before you click that mouse again to place a trade, let me roll out 9 of the most important tips that’ll save you time, money, and potentially your sanity.

Let’s go.

TIP #1 - DON’T trade on a single monitor.

DO yourself a favor—use at least two monitors. Why?

For efficiency! Multi-monitors allow you to multitask with the least number of clicks and keystrokes.

Trying to trade on one screen is like trying to fly a plane with one eye shut. Research shows two monitors can boost productivity by 25% or more. I personally use 6 monitors.

Even if you're not actively day or swing trading, having multiple screens for charts, news feeds, and research is non-negotiable. You need good visibility to make smart decisions.

TIP #2 - DON’T rely on WiFi alone.

It’s tempting, but it’s just not reliable for trading. You need speed and stability.

DO always connect via Ethernet if you can.

If WiFi is your only option, make sure your router is in clear view of your computer’s antenna or your laptop. No walls, no interference, and a super random password on that router. Your password on your router should not be “password!” Hello!

And for profit's sake —don’t trade over public WiFi. That’s like handing your account to a hacker on a silver platter.

TIP #3 - DON’T buy a computer with insufficient RAM.

I get it—those “deals” at the big-box stores look sweet… but they’re often junk for traders.

You want power, not a paperweight. That sleek little laptop with 8GB of RAM? Not gonna cut it.

DO make sure you are looking at 32GB to 128GB of RAM. Trust me—your trading account will thank you.

TIP #4 - DON’T ignore processor speed benchmarks.

Here’s the deal—you could drop $4,000 on a shiny new PC… and still have laggy charts if you don’t check the processor’s benchmark score.  The benchmark score is a measure of how much horsepower the machine has.

We’ve got a tool that’ll tell you exactly what to look for. Whether it’s a new system or one you already own—run the benchmark score test. Save yourself the headache. 

DO click to test your processor’s benchmark score now.

TIP #5 - DON’T waste money on a high-end gaming graphics card.

You don’t need to render the next 3D Avatar movie. But you do need a solid graphics card with its own AI graphics processor and dedicated RAM.

DO look for a Nvidia card that’s “AI Ready.” Like the Nvidia RTX 4060.  No need to go ultra-high-end, multi-thousand-dollar cards -  but don’t cheap out either. Details are in my buyer’s guide—Click here for the Complete Guide to Trading Computers.

TIP #6 - DON’T buy a computer without reliable tech support.

Look—everyone needs help sometimes. Stuff happens.

Have you ever had the blue screen of death happen to you?

DO get a vendor that offers real support. U.S.-based support. Phone support. Remote support. If something breaks, they need to fix it fast. During a trading session, you can’t afford to sit on hold with some call center overseas.

This is where we shine at EZ Trading Computers.  All of our machines come with Lifetime tech support.  Our support team only deals with traders, and they are U.S.-based.

TIP #7 - DON’T run your trading computer without a UPS.

Plugging your PC straight into the wall? Bad idea.

DO get a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply).  Make sure it comes with power conditioning. It’ll protect your system from power surges, outages, and electrical gremlins. You know, like when your wife fires up the vacuum while the clothes dryer is running and you get that little brownout. This is Cheap insurance for a very expensive piece of hardware.

TIP #8 - DON’T download anything sketchy on your trading computer.

DO keep that machine clean. No random downloads. No email attachments.

Dedicate that system only to trading. You’ll avoid malware and performance issues. Get a second computer if you need one for everyday stuff like browsing, email, etc.

TIP #9 - DON’T buy a computer without thinking about what you actually trade.