Multi-Threading Processors and Software

A ‘multi-threaded application’ is software that is written to take advantage of hyperthreading technology. Hyperthreading is a processor technology developed by Intel. It enables multi-threaded software applications to execute threads in parallel instead of processing threads in a linear fashion.

What is Hyperthreading

Hyper-Threading enables different parts of the CPU to work on different tasks concurrently. This greatly enhances the overall performance of a computer system as it allows simultaneous data streams. Think of I like a single lane highway vs. an 8 lane highway with regard to data. Not all applications can take advantage of hyperthread capable CPU however it is the way of the future.

Note that all newer Microsoft operating systems and Office applications take full advantage of hyperthreading technology. So even if you are using an application that is not multi threaded, your Window operating system will still benefit from hyperthreading.

Stock Trading Software and Multi Threading

Stock trading applications such as Tradestation, Ameritrade, CyperTrader, QCharts, ETrade etc. are used to manage trading activity. Some of these applications are currently single threaded. But programmers are updating software to take advantage of multi-threading.

Single Thread vs Multi Thread

What this means is that any system you buy for trading, you want to make sure it has a Multi Thread processor with Hyper-Threading technology to make sure you are ready for the future. A single threaded application can work in a multithreaded environment as it is backwards compatible.

Computers with Multithreading

NTI QuadStation trading computers are tested with all trading platforms. We configure our systesm for optimal performance based on EACH software vendor’s highest specs and beyond.

Computers with Multi Thread Processors

All systems greatly benefit from quad core processing even if the trading platforms have not yet update their software to take advantage of multi threading. This will be the standard in the future and your QuadStation is ready for it!

In Summary

Think of it this way. If your trading software is single threaded, it will still work on a multi thread machine. The advantage of that is the operating system, your browser  and everything behind the curtain that runs your Windows machine DOES take full advantage of hyperthreading. This in turn makes the system as a whole run more than twice as fast when running single thread applications.