Is the Dell Precision T7400 any good for 3d modeling?

[Dibley]

Hi,

Do you guys think the Dell Precision T7400 is capable of running current 3d modeling software like Maya 2014, Mudbox, Zbrush, Blender, etc?

Or is there a better option for the price? I was looking at ebay and I can get a T7400 in the $600-$900 range it seems. All with various options that increase and lower the price obviously, but I really dont know what I should be looking at in terms of components when choosing one - if it turns out the T7400 is a good choice.

Here is the thing, I want to be able to do 3d modeling and the like, but I dont need it to be super duper or anything, as long as I can model without it crashing or lagging a whole lot, I would be happy. I only have 1 program, maybe 2 if need be, open at a time.

I would like to stay under $1000, but more likely under $800 - honestly as cheap as I can go. Currently my home desktop computer can barely open UDK or zbrush - so anything is an upgrade!

I started looking at the workstations because I wont really be running actual games on it, so I read that a workstation is a bit better? Is there anything I should be looking at specifically with the T7400.

Anyways I would be very much interested in hearing what you guys think. The whole computer building scares me, and buying one isnt far off from that either. All the different components and compatibility and the fact that things become outdated in mere months is daunting to people like me. Really I just want a computer that can run the 3d modeling softwares, but one that can be upgraded later if I need more.

EDIT: Here are some of the ebay ones for sale, to give an idea of what is available:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-PRECISION-T7400-DUAL-2-XEON-E5472-QUAD-CORE-32GB-1-5TB-DVD-RW-/221316655813?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item3387802ac5
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precision-T7400-Workstation-2x-Xeon-E5450-3-0GHz-16GB-2x-1TB-FX3700-W7Pro-/131084625682?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item1e8540a712
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precision-T7400-Workstation-2x-Xeon-E5450-3-0GHz-16GB-2x-300GB-FX3700-W7Pro-/130962618558?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item1e7dfaf8be
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precision-T7400-Workstation-2x-Xeon-E5450-3-0GHz-16GB-1TB-FX3700-Win-7-Pro-/111292567169?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item19e98dce81
(I read the READ ME stickies and I didnt see anything about posting links, so I believe this is ok)

Rockford

 

[TheUnknownPC]

Id Build your own dell is crap
building a computer is like putting together LEGO to make a boat
and prebuilds are always trouble

 

[s4in7]

Yes, that'll be a good machine for 3D work as you don't need beefy graphics cards seeing as how rendering is done on the CPU.

The upgrade path may not be the best, but it should last you a few years.

 

[carver_g]

If you want to go Dell, try to swing a T5500 or T7500 if you can (both have dual socket options)- it's first gen i7 and can crunch a lot more code than the core2-based T7400. Also try the Dell Financial Services direct sales website- better deals than ebay if you find a coupon code online (google it), and you get a factory warranty.