Poor college student needs computer. Dell T3400 refurbished?

I'm an engineering student...... no computer at the
moment. Cost is an issue

Looking at the Dell T3400 in outlet. Can be had in $500
range less monitor

First off... I haven't kept up with Del workstation
hardware..... this one is new to me. Is it good?

Want to be able to eventually run solids modelers,
etc..... not at the moment but have some run to upgrade
in case I need to

specs as follows:

Operating System
Genuine Windows XP Pro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Memory
1 GB DDR2 NON-ECC SDRAM 677MHz (2 DIMMs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Disk Drive
80 GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Video
256MB PCIe x16 nVidia NVS 290, Dual Monitor DVI Capable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certified Refurbished
Certified Refurbished
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base
Precision Workstation T3400 Mini-Tower: Intel Core 2
Duo E4300 (1.80GHz/800MHz/2MB L2) 525W
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Bay
48X Max Variable CD ROM Drive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware Upgrade
Desktop Chassis Configuration
Hardware is Microsoft Vista Capable
Internal Speaker
USB Keyboard
USB Keyboard
USB 2 Button Mouse

 

The computer sounds a good deal for the money. It would run AutoCAD
fine as long as any 3D model does not get too big.
As far as solid modeling goes you should read the requirements for
Autodesk Inventor.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=8410923

I'm not sure what the requirements of any other solid modeling
programs are.

Daryl

 

Unless you install a server operating system it will be a workstation
that stays on 24/7. Storing and sharing files does not necessarily use
up much capacity. If you are trying to make a domain controller for a
network, then the computer you are looking at will not do everything
you need it to do. It sounds like you want or need a high end system.
You are probably not going to get one for $500.

Daryl

 

well I was hoping to use the workstation in its "off"
time as a vide and TV recorder...that is install a TV
tuner card in it to record off the air TV....and to do
that will need to leave it on for extended periods of
time....hence the concern abt energy efficiency and all

Not a good idea?

 

Boy, you are expecting a lot out of a second hand refurb computer. All
of the needs/wants you keep adding to this thread point to the need
for a pretty high end workstation or gaming machine. Both of these
would have the memory, CPU, drive space, etc. for all of the resource
consuming functions you want.
The $500 PC you are looking at will not do all of these effectively.
A new Dell XPS or Workstation class PC would. But you will need a
minimum of 2GB of fast RAM, the most CPU you can afford, dual CPUs(for
the solid modeling) if possible, and the biggest and fastest drives
you can afford.

Daryl

 

Ok maybe I need to up the amount spent then?

What abt $800 without a monitor?

I can cabbage around get a donated tube monitor I'm
sure..from someone