Most traders make a HUGE mistake when it comes to RAM—and it’s killing their performance. Don’t let it happen to you. Here’s the truth about how much you need.
WHAT IS RAM?
Let me break it down for you. What is RAM? RAM Stands for Random Access Memory. Think of it like your kitchen table — the bigger the table, the more trading applications, charts, and browsers you can spread out at once without getting overwhelmed.
When you turn on your computer, your RAM, the memory inside the computer, is empty. The first thing your system does is load Windows from your hard drive into the RAM. Every time you open a program—whether it’s a trading platform, a browser, or even Zoom—your computer pulls that data, the instructions, from your hard drive and loads it into RAM for quick access.
The more RAM you have, the more programs and data you can handle simultaneously without any lag. If you don’t have enough RAM, your computer starts writing and reading data back onto the hard drive into something called “virtual memory,” and this significantly slows things down.
HOW MUCH RAM DO YOU NEED FOR TRADING?
Let’s talk about the real numbers. Windows 11 alone can easily use 2 to 4GB of RAM just to run. Add in your trading platforms, browsers, market scanners, Zoom, and real-time data feeds, and you’ll hit 16GB in no time.
So here’s my official recommendation for traders as of this video's release date:
✅ 16GB of RAM – The bare minimum for investors who are not that active. If you run a single trading platform like E*Trade or Fidelity, that is not complicated with a few charts and maybe 1 browser open, this will work.
✅ 32GB of RAM – This is a good place to start for serious traders who run multiple monitors, advanced charting software, and a few real-time news or live streams.
✅ 64GB to 256GB of RAM – This is for serious scalpers and algo traders, or those running multiple trading platforms. If you tend to run complex simulations, AI, or machine learning-based trading systems, you will want the overhead of at least 128GB. If you want max performance and future proof that machine, this is the way to go.
WHY IS MORE RAM = FASTER TRADING?
Back in the early days of the internet, when we first switched from dial-up to broadband, we all ran into the same problem—our computers just couldn’t keep up with the massive levels of data flowing in. The fix? Upgrading RAM. And the same principle applies today.
When the market moves fast, you need real-time data instantly. Any delay—whether it’s chart lag, execution slowness, or platform freezes—can cost you money. More RAM is one big lever that will help prevent these issues. You want to make sure your system can handle all of the real-time data and ALL of your charts and indicators - at once – in real-time!
And remember, RAM isn’t just about speed—it’s about stability. You don’t want your trading platform crashing in the middle of a big trade just because your system ran out of memory or because the machine is writing back to the virtual memory on the hard drive. HUGE MISTAKE for traders!
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, if you’re still using an old machine with 8GB or less, it’s time to upgrade that machine. 16GB is the bare minimum. 32GB gives you breathing room. And 64GB and more is the ultimate setup for professional traders.
And hey, if you want to optimize your trading experience even further, make sure to download my Complete Guide to Trading Computers. It’s totally free!
I hope this helped clear things up about your RAM!
Article updated April 22, 2025.
