Processor cores for 3D rendering

[Solkia]

How strong of a processor is needed for 3D rendering? I'm under the impression that the GPU is more important but I want to know if a 4 core 8 thread Xeon would be enough.

[thekeemo]

I have found the cpu to be more important and more is always better and yes a quad core xeon is fine

[C0LL0SS0S]

For starting to model the Xeon 1231v3 is a really awesome chip, i7 like performance for i5 prices ^^

[FruitBasketSilex]

How strong of a processor is needed for 3D rendering? I'm under the impression that the GPU is more important but I want to know if a 4 core 8 thread Xeon would be enough.

Considering I did it with an i5-520UM (LOW-LOW-LOW-power mobile chip) a hyperthreaded xeon like a 1231V3 should do it very well.