Need advice on a CAD build

[Teenk9]

Let me preface this by saying I don't know jack about CAD.

So my brother has finally decided to get off his ass after a few years of effing around. He's gotten himself enrolled in CAD classes, mainly Mastercam and Solidworks. I offered to build him a PC and this is currently what I have.

Used HPxw6400 with:
(2) E5420 Xeon Quads @ 2.50GHz
250GB hard drive (for OS)
2TB hard drive (adding this myself)
Nvidia Quadro Fx3500
16GB of Fully buffered ram
Win7 Pro 64
Dell Ultrasharp 2408

All set to pick up the parts this weekend (except OS which I already have) and I'm pretty much on my budget of $500.

Basically I need to know if this will be enough for his needs. I'm not spending more than $500 on him so keep that in mind if making suggestions.

 

[Dangman]

So that whole system for $500? Including the OS and monitor?

The problem I have is that once you drop the OS and monitor, that setup is really outdated. Not to mention that if he ever gets serious about CAD and such, that setup won't meet his needs for long. Again, those are basically two rather old low clocked C2Q based CPUs with rather slow slow RAM.

 

[Teenk9]

I just want to build him something to get him through school, that's all I really want to know, is the specs good enough for Mastercam and Solidworks. After school (if he even finishes, thus my reluctance to invest more money) he's on his own.

 

[somebrains]

He will be fine.
My machinist buddy is still on a C2D/4gb ram/2x 320gb drives/9800gt
He manages to build/tweak parts in Cad + Solid works and sells paintball parts worldwide.

Its not about the gear, its about the drive to make $ and drive a Corvette.