The Best $1,500 Stock Trading PC Build – December 2021
Turbocharge 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.
This Month’s Build, Powered by Intel!
The December 2021 edition of the Stock Trading PC Build, which we rolled out early to take advantage of the latest product releases, features Intel’s awesome new Core i7-12700K 12-core, 20-thread CPU. It will make quick work of anything you throw at it, and also has a built-in graphics chip that can drive dual monitors at any resolution. Do you have ten windows open, full of charts, graphs, and news feeds? No problem, the 12700K can handle it, and the built-in graphics will make it look smooth even on a premium widescreen monitor like the ultra-wide 34″ 3440×1440 model we recommend later in this guide! And the best part: while the cryptocurrency mining craze has caused prices of stand-alone video cards to skyrocket worldwide, this system isn’t affected, thanks to the built-in graphics capability.
Backing up the CPU is 32GB of fast DDR4-3600 memory, giving you an amazing combination of speed and capacity. Also in this system is an ultra-responsive 500GB PCIe Gen 4 solid-state drive. When you’re in the groove, you’ll be getting huge streams of data hitting your drive constantly, and this one can take it! To make your Stock Trading PC Build look great without hogging a ton of desk space, we recommend the compact and classy SilverStone SG15 aluminum chassis, and to keep it running quietly and efficiently, we spec a 550W Platinum-rated power supply and Noctua’s best 120mm CPU cooler. Learn how to build this PC and post your questions in our full SG15 review on YouTube!
A Few Other Notes
If you’re looking to complete your system, browse our Monitor Buyer’s Guide and Peripherals Buyer’s Guide, although you’ll find our favorite picks for a trading PC listed later on this page. Throughout our guides, we provide direct product links to Amazon and Newegg 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
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CPU –Intel Core i7-12700K @Newegg
$418CYBER MONDAY PRICING IN EFFECT! Intel reclaims the gaming lead with its 12th-Gen “Alder Lake” CPUs, and the 12700K is the CPU to get for extreme performance without going overboard on cost. It handily beats the Ryzen 7 5800X and Ryzen 9 5900X, and is nearly as fast as Intel’s top-end 12900K! Note that the “K” version includes built-in graphics, unlike the “KF” version.
The Guru’s TipNote that this CPU does not include a cooler, so make sure to pick up the one we recommend later in this guide!
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Motherboard –Gigabyte Z690I AORUS Ultra
$290This mini-ITX board has what it takes to support the most powerful socket 1700 Intel-based systems. It has a 10+2+1 phase VRM design, a 105-Amp power stage, and of course packs in both PCIe Gen 5 connectivity for video cards and M.2 drives, which is way ahead of the curve! Also onboard is 802.11ax (WiFi 6) wireless networking, Bluetooth, and 2.5Gb LAN.
The Guru’s TipThis board's HDMI 2.1 and Displayport 1.4 video outputs can drive any monitor at full resolution, and together allow for simultaneous use of two UHD monitors.
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Memory –Patriot 2x16GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 C18
$120Patriot offers the best performance per dollar of any major RAM manufacturer, and its 32GB kit of DDR4-3600 is proof positive of that. Featuring a fast 3600MHz speed and tight 18-20-20 timings, there is no better option anywhere near the price!
The Guru’s TipWith 32GB of RAM on board, you'll never run out of capacity! Note that to run this RAM at its full speed, you will need to select the XMP profile in the motherboard's UEFI (aka the BIOS).
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Solid-State Drive –WD_BLACK SN850 500GB NVMe
$90Vying for the title of fastest M.2 drive on the planet, the WD_Black SN850 is an amazingly-fast drive, powered by NAND flash that can truly max out the PCIe Gen 4 bus.
The Guru’s TipInstall this under the heatsink provided on the motherboard's top-mounted M.2 slot.
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Case –SilverStone SG15 Silver
$163This awesome 20-liter case allows you to max out an ITX build while still remaining very compact. It features a modern layout perfect for large video cards and powerful CPU coolers, optimizing not just for fit but for performance. The cooling in this case is exceptional, and the aluminum panels and high-quality filters definitely put it in a class by itself!
The Guru’s TipNote that this is a mini-ITX case and requires a mini-ITX motherboard, which we of course have listed in this guide. Please be careful about selecting a different model unless you are sure it is also mini-ITX.
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Power Supply –Seasonic FOCUS SSR-550PX
$110No one builds power supplies better than Seasonic, which is why so many brands partner with Seasonic to manufacture their PSUs for them. Well, going straight to the source allows you to cut out the middle man and get all the quality for a great price. This Focus model packs in fully-modular cables, exceptional Platinum-rated efficiency, and a zero-fan mode for silence at low load. Plus, the short 140mm length makes it easier to install than typical oversized models!
The Guru’s TipThe high efficiency of this PSU will save you money as you trade, which keeps more money in your pocket!
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CPU Cooler –Noctua NH-U12A chromax.Black
$120For silent, reliable performance in the 120mm form factor, there is no better cooler than the NH-U12A. Packing in all of Noctua’s latest engineering, including dual NF-A12x25 fans, it offers simply-incredible performance for its size. And the updated chromax.Black version has looks and performance in equal measure, unlike the original brown version!
The Guru’s TipThis cooler comes with the required Intel Socket 1700 mounting bracket in the box.
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Operating System –Windows 10 Home USB Flash Drive @Newegg
$130The Guru’s TipWindows 10 is the most popular operating system in the world, and Microsoft continues to support users not only with regular security updates, but with major content releases every year. This USB version installs in under 5 minutes, meaning you can get right into using your system!Windows 11 has been released, but not to retail. The way to get it is to install Win10 and download the free update to Win11. For use with an Intel 12th-Gen processor, definitely do this right from the start rather than waiting until after you've installed your apps.
Optional Products
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The 34-inch Widescreen Monitor –Acer EI342CKR
$420 The Guru’s TipBoth the HDMI 2.0 and Displayport outputs on the Stock Trading PC will support a monitor of this resolution!
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Keyboard –Logitech G815 Mechanical Keyboard (Linear)
$170 The Guru’s TipBy the way, we know RGB backlighting isn't the favorite of every professional, but don't worry - you can dim it or shut if off entirely!
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The Deluxe Wireless Mouse –Logitech MX Master 3
$100 The Guru’s TipThis mouse can even be used with multiple systems at once, like a laptop and this desktop PC!
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The Deluxe PC Headset –Corsair Virtuoso Wireless Headset
$169 The Guru’s TipThis headset also looks very professional, so no one needs to know it's actually marketed as a gaming headset!
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Webcam –Logitech C925-e Webcam
$71 The Guru’s TipAvoid 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!
Total Cost: $1492
Required Components
- CPU – Intel Core i7-12700K @Newegg ($418)
- Motherboard – Gigabyte Z690I AORUS Ultra ($290)
- Memory – Patriot 2x16GB Viper Steel DDR4-3600 C18 ($120)
- Solid-State Drive – WD_BLACK SN850 500GB NVMe ($90)
- Case – SilverStone SG15 Silver ($163)
- Power Supply – Seasonic FOCUS SSR-550PX ($110)
- CPU Cooler – Noctua NH-U12A chromax.Black ($120)
- Operating System – Windows 10 Home USB Flash Drive @Newegg ($130)
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