The Best $1,500 Stock Trading PC Build – March 2024

By Ari Altman | Published March 9, 2024 | Updated March 9, 2024

Asus Prime AP201Turbocharge Your Trading!

If you’re looking for the ultimate Stock Trading PC Build, this is the one! It’s informed by three guiding principles: it must be fast, quiet, and classy. You’ll have all of this and more for around $1500, and indeed this system will instantly start paying for itself as it maximizes your trading potential.

Now, to be realistic, we know that given the current market, today may not the best time to pick up trading (although hindsight might prove that stocks are a value at the moment!). Even so, if you’re already trading, or you have other professional endeavors that demand a seriously-powerful PC at a great price, this is the one! With that said, if you want something with nearly the same capabilities at a lower pricepoint, check out our $1000 Content Creation PC, which will work great for trading as well!

This Month’s Build, Powered by Intel and AMD!

The March 2024 edition of the Stock Trading PC Build features Intel’s insanely-powerful Core i9-14900K 24-core, 32-thread CPU. It will make quick work of anything you throw at it thanks to all those threads plus an impressive turbo speed. Do you have a dozen windows open, full of charts, graphs, and news feeds? No problem, the 14900K can handle it. Backing it up is the AMD Radeon RX 6600 8GB video card, which will allow you to run up to four ultra-high-definition monitors. That’s something a lot of our readers have asked for in the Stock Trading PC, but if you only need a maximum of 2 monitors, you can actually skip the video card and save $200 in the process, bringing the price of this system down to around $1300!

This system features 32GB of DDR5-6400 memory, meaning you can have as many windows open on your system as you’ll ever need. Also in this system is a top-of-the-line 1TB PCIe Gen 4 solid-state drive. For a Stock Trading PC Build, serious speed is important, because when you’re in the groove, you’ll be getting multiple streams of data hitting your drive constantly, and this one can take it! To make your Stock Trading PC Build look great without using a ton of desk space, we recommend the compact mesh-clad Asus AP201 micro-ATX chassis. Finally, to keep it running quietly and efficiently, we spec a 750W Gold-rated power supply and a fantastic dual-tower CPU cooler.

A Few Other Notes

If you’re looking to complete your system, feel free to browse our Monitor Buyer’s Guide and Peripherals Buyer’s Guide, although you’ll also find our favorite picks for a trading PC listed later on this page. Throughout our guides, we provide direct product links to Amazon in the US, and these links will auto-convert for our readers in Canada, the UK, and several countries in the EU, with regional substitutions made based on availability. To support this site, please use these links if you purchase any of the products we list.

Required Components

  • CPU

    Intel Core i9-14900K

    $545
    The 14900K, based on the cutting-edge Raptor Lake architecture, takes everything that was great about the 13900K and pushes it to the max. It packs in 8 Hyperthreaded performance cores that can boost up to 6.0GHz. Combined with an incredible 16 efficiency cores, it offers a total of 32 threads. That makes it both an incredibly-effective gaming processor and an elite-level multi-tasking monster. Simply put, it’s what you want in a killer PC!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This CPU actually has built-in graphics, which is enough to support two UHD monitors. If you need more than that (and many traders do!), please make sure to add the video card we list later in this guide.

  • Motherboard

    MSI MAG B760M Mortar WiFi II DDR5

    $200
    This full-featured Socket 1700 board from MSI is a perfect match for Intel’s latest CPUs. It offers a potent 12+1+1 VRM design, two PCIe Gen 4 M.2 slots, a PCIe Gen 5 video card slot, eight USB ports (including a Type-C port), and integrated WiFi 6E plus 2.5Gbs LAN. And making it truly cutting-edge is its support for next-gen DDR5 RAM!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This motherboard is a new release developed specifically for 14th-Gen Intel CPUs. Unlike most other boards, it will boot these new processors out of the box.

  • Video Card

    PowerColor Radeon RX 6600 Fighter 8GB

    $200
    Jump into serious PC gaming today with the Radeon RX 6600 8GB. It has plenty of power to tackle any modern game, easily beating any Nvidia GeForce GPU anywhere near its pricepoint. And this model offers a compact yet effective cooler at a great price.

    The Guru’s Tip

    While this is technically a gaming card, we're selecting it for another reason: it has four ultra-high-definition video ports, allowing you to run as many huge monitors as you could fit on a desk! But take note: if you only need support for two monitors, you can skip this video card, as the 14900K CPU has built-in graphics that can be used with the motherboard's dual video outputs. You can always upgrade later on, which is the beauty of building your own PC!

  • Memory

    G.Skill 2x16GB Ripjaws S5 DDR5-6400 CL32

    $110
    For the ultimate in speed, you must go with DDR5 RAM, but not just any DDR5 RAM, because you need high-frequency DDR5 to blow past DDR4 RAM performance. And that’s what you get with G.Skill’s Trident Z5 kit running at DDR5-6400 with timings of 32-39-39-102 at 1.40V. This is the real deal when it comes to DDR5 performance!

    The Guru’s Tip

    We're recommending DDD5 RAM, which is the right match for the motherboard we recommend. DDR4 is not compatible.

  • Solid-State Drive

    WD_Black SN850x 1TB NVMe

    $85
    WD started off with the SN850, blowing by the competition, and only made it better with the “x” model. Powered by amazingly-fast NAND flash, and maxing out the PCIe Gen 4 bus, it’s the one you want!

    The Guru’s Tip

    Install this SSD in the upper slot on the motherboard.

  • Case

    Asus AP201 White Mesh

    $70
    This compact, ultra-stylish case from Asus truly stands out for its elegance and performance. The case is wrapped in mesh, comprising 57,000 precision-machined 1.5mm holes, which give it great airflow along with a unique industrial look. While we think the white color enhances its aesthetics, it’s also available in black.

    The Guru’s Tip

    This case is a micro-ATX case - make sure you do not buy a full-size ATX motherboard!

  • Power Supply

    SilverStone DA750R

    $105
    Offering up 750W of power and top-notch build quality, this PSU is a great value among high-end models. Thanks to its fully-modular cables and compact 150mm length, it’s very easy to install, allowing you to minimize cable clutter by leaving out cables you don’t need for this build. It’s also forward-looking, with both traditional video card power cables and a 12V-2×6 connector (an improved version of the 12VHPWR connector), allowing you to directly connect to any current or future GPU. The best part: thanks to its Gold-rated efficiency and zero-fan mode, the power supply will operate in silence most of the time!

    The Guru’s Tip

    The system will pull about 300W (or 450W if you sneak some gaming in), meaning this PSU has more than enough headroom.

  • CPU Cooler

    Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO

    $43
    Thermalright is legendary in the CPU cooler business, having designed some of the very first premium tower coolers in the early 2000s. Their focus has always been on performance per dollar, providing a lot of metal for your money. And with the Phantom Spirit 120 Evo, that metal comes in the form of seven chunky 6mm heatpipes running through two big heatsink towers. They are aided by two ultra-premium 120mm fans using fluid dynamic bearings and a proven 9-blade design. All in all, you get class-leading performance at a price that no other manufacturer can touch!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This cooler requires the use of low-profile RAM, which we've spec'd in this guide.

  • Operating System

    Windows 11 Home (USB) @Newegg

    $139
    Windows 11 built on everything people loved about Windows 10, and then took it to 11! It adds significant under-the-hood changes to make it faster and more secure, and of course, the interface is sleek too! Note that we’re linking to Newegg, because Amazon long ago stopped selling this physical USB version of Windows, which is the most convenient one to use.

    The Guru’s Tip

    Windows 11 is definitely the OS you want to take full advantage of a modern PC.

Optional Products

  • The 34-inch Widescreen Monitor

    LG 34WQ73A-B

    $429
    It wasn’t long ago that monitors with the specs of this model would cost twice as much, so there’s no doubt that LG is offering tremendous value in a high-end model here. You get an ultra-crisp 34″ curved IPS panel with a resolution of 3440 x 1440 offering, 99% of the sRGB color gamut, and an adjustable stand to allow for an ergonomic position. It’s equipped with Displayport and HDMI inputs, plus a USB Type-C port to connect to laptops and provide video and up to 90W of charging. It has dual USB 3.0 ports to connect a mouse and keyboard, and even has a built-in KVM switch for the ultimate productivity enhancement: swap your monitor and peripherals between your desktop and laptop with the touch of a button!

    The Guru’s Tip

    You can run up to four of these on the Stock Trading PC, so feel free to grab a couple to start if you have the space for them!

  • The Ultimate Business Keyboard

    Logitech MX Keys S Wireless Illuminated Keyboard

    $110
    The sleek, full-featured keyboard is our top pick for serious office productivity use. The low-profile keys and metal frame give it a very professional look and feel, along with a solid typing experience. It also offers backlighting to make typing in the dimly-lit conditions easier, and being wireless, you can easily move it out of the way when you need more desk space. Finally, Logitech’s Flow Control software allows you to use it on multiple systems simultaneously!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This is the perfect complement to the MX Master 3 mouse recommended below!

  • The Deluxe Wireless Mouse

    Logitech MX Master 3S

    $100
    Nothing can bog you down faster than a mouse tangled up on its cord. So we strongly recommend a wireless mouse, but not just any wireless mouse – the MX Master 3S from Logitech has an incredibly comfortable profile, ideal for use all day long, along with the most innovative scroll wheel ever to make its way onto a mouse. Its built-in battery will last up to 70 days before needing a charge, and the 3S can even track on glass, thanks to its highly-optimized 8000dpi sensor!

    The Guru’s Tip

    This mouse can even be used with multiple systems at once, like a laptop and this desktop PC!

  • The Deluxe PC Speakers

    Logitech Z207 Multi Device Speakers

    $60
    Logitech’s Z207 speakers sound and look great without taking up much space. They’ll also work with any Bluetooth audio device, so you can switch over to phone or tablet audio with the push of a button. Logitech has packed a ton of value into this slimline speaker kit!

    The Guru’s Tip

    You'll want a set of speakers for Zoom calls or market news!

  • Webcam

    Logitech C920x Pro HD Webcam

    $70
    Need to use your PC for video conferencing? No problem! Just add this high-quality 1080p webcam from Logitech, which includes a built-in microphone. Just remember that if your monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers, you’ll also need stand-alone speakers for web conferencing to work. We’re amazed at the number of people who use headphones for video conferencing when it’s so much more professional to use gear attached to your PC, rather than your head!

    The Guru’s Tip

    Avoid no-name webcams at all costs. They've flooded the market as more people work from home, and they are almost always of dubious quality!

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