Poor college student needs computer. Dell T3400 refurbished?

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.

Daryl

But..... I'm thinking abt running this workstation as a "home server' as well.....where it may be on much of the day maybe 24/7. hence the concern abt power usage and heat generated.

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

Possibly!

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