Trading involves monitoring so many variables. This is why you see traders with 6 monitor setup or even more. The more monitors you have, the easier it is to keep an eye out on your charts.
While a 6 monitor setup might look complicated and difficult to put together, it’s actually not. First, you should know who you are as a trader. Are you the type of trader who can squeeze everything in two or three monitors or do you need to have multiple screens to look at?
Once you know what kind of trader you are and how your workflow is, you can figure out if you are better off with a 6 monitor setup or you should add more.
Choose Your Monitors
Your monitors are some of the most important parts of your trading setup. You will be staring at your monitors all day while trading, so make sure that they really fit your needs. That said, here are a few key things you need to know when choosing your monitors:
Number of Monitors
Do you really need a 6 monitor setup? It really depends on your needs. As mentioned above, some people need 6 or more monitors to trade efficiently while others can work even with just 3 or 4 monitors.
The thing is, the number of monitors you are using will determine how efficiently your workflow will go. You need more monitors to be able to check your timeframes, monitor your indicators, check the symbols, and many other variables.
It’s safe to say that having more monitors allows you to quickly execute your trades. For instance, if you have to switch from one chart to another in one monitor, you might lose the time to execute your trade.
Ideally, you should start with a 3 monitor setup. However, if you truly want to work efficiently, you can aim to get a 6 monitor setup or more.
Consider Which Monitor Panel Will Work Best for You
When you go out in the market, you will come across three basic monitor panel options. They are:
- Twisted Nematic
- Vertical Alignment
- In-Plane Switching
Twisted Nematic or TN is the least expensive one. If you are on a tight budget, you can go for this kind of monitor. Moreover, it’s available in the LCD panel type and has a good response type.
However, it’s not the best when it comes to contrast ratio and color reproduction. As you know, color contrast is very important in charting. However, it might not be that noticeable if you are just starting out.
Go for Vertical Alignment monitors if you are looking for a middle ground. These are great for trading because of their wide view angles. On the other hand, the response time for these monitors is not as great as the others.
If you have some more money to spare, go for the IPS or In-Plane Switching monitors. They are the best in terms of quality. They cost more but this monitor makes up for it in terms of color accuracy, wide viewing angle, and response time.
It’s not as fast as TN monitors but faster than the VA ones. If you want the best monitor for reading charts, you should get this one.
Choose the Best Size
Maximize your trading potential by choosing the right screen size. Bigger is often better when it comes to trading monitors because bigger monitors will offer you more charting space. The standard size for trading monitors is 24 inches. You can use this as a guide when buying.
On the other hand, many traders go as high as 32-inch monitors. You can start with the standard size and add bigger monitors as you go along.
Pick the Right Graphics Hardware
Here are your top options when it comes to trading monitor graphics hardware:
- Integrated
- Mixed Integrated
- Dedicated
Integrated Graphics is ideal for traders using two or three monitors. Also, this is a good option if you are on a tight budget. It dispenses the need for a graphics card.
However, when choosing integrated graphics for your hardware, make sure you look at the plugs. It should be compatible with your computer. It’s not uncommon to see systems integrated with connections suitable for different interfaces.
Mixed integrated graphics, also known as dedicated graphics, are compatible with most computers today. Additionally, they also work with the graphics already integrated into your computer. Just tweak the BIOS settings on your computer and you are great to go.
This type of graphics hardware can cater to the needs of a 4 to 6 monitor setup. The downside is that if a window is using a monitor that is still plugged in the graphics of the computer, you could experience some latency.
Lastly, if you are looking for the best graphics hardware, opt for the dedicated graphics. Many traders prefer dedicated graphics because of their top-notch performance. It caters to a 6 monitor setup or more without suffering from delays or latencies.
Consider Your Mounting Options
You can’t complete your 6 monitor setup without a desk or a way to mount these monitors. You can opt for a traditional desk stand that is widely available in the market. Just be sure it will fit all the monitors that you will include.
Wall mounts are an alternative option but will require drilling. They don’t take up as much floor space as a traditional desk, which can be great for those living in apartments.
Thinking About Cable Management
Having a 6 monitor setup means you will most likely have cable chaos on your hands. Cable managers offer a solution to this problem. They help keep cables organized and tangle-free.
Once you have your 6 monitor setup in place, you should rather be there for trading. Don’t be afraid to move things around and change the setup as needed.