Tips to Improve ThinkorSwim Speed and Efficiency

Introduction

• Presenter: Matt from the Trade Brigade
• Purpose: Offer tips and tricks to enhance ThinkorSwim's speed and efficiency

Tip #1: Adjust Memory Allocation

• How to Adjust Memory
  • Click on the gear icon on the lower-left corner of the login screen
  • Navigate to 'Memory Usage'
  • Adjust memory allocation based on your RAM
    • For 32 GB RAM: Low end at 1024 MB, high end at 6144 MB
  • Consider increasing memory if running multiple screens of ThinkorSwim
• Benefits:
  • Reduces lag
  • Ensures smooth operation of background tasks

Tip #2: Set Quote Speed to Real-Time

• Default Setting: Moderate (3-second delay)
• How to Change to Real-Time
  • Navigate to gear icon and 'Setup'
  • Go to 'Application Settings'
  • Go to 'System' in the left-hand sidebar
  • Change 'Quote Speed' to Real-Time
• Importance:
  • Real-time data is crucial for day traders and intraday traders

Tip #3: Use Active Trader in Its Own Window

• Why Use Active Trader in Its Own Window?
  • More efficient for trading stocks & ETFs
  • Reduces strain on single panes doing multiple tasks (Chart, Active Trader, Level 2)
• How to Set Up
  • Open a separate window for Active Trader
  • For options trading, paste the options code into a separate window for correlation

Bonus Tip: Monitor and Maintain Free Memory

• How to Monitor Free Memory
  • Navigate to 'Help' tab
  • Go to 'System'
  • Check 'Free Memory'
• Actions if Low Free Memory
  • Click 'Collect Garbage' if free memory is less than 500,000
  • If problem persists, log out and restart the platform
• Benefits:
  • Helps recover free memory to around 800,000
  • Prevents lag and improves overall performance

Conclusion

• Encouragement to like the video or comment if tips were helpful