If your int is going to be much higher than your str, you'll only be able to use low level str armour / shield. At which point high level int armour will likely have the same armour with better bonuses.
So if you want to do it that way, it's probably better to have good str and int.
You can make a 'front-line' mage (with no strength/armour). High con, water of life, shields, touch spells, become air, elemental absorption, very tanky. This doesn't even require that much int (just enough to cast the shields without an AP penalty).
But 8 str / lots of int probably isn't so worthwhile unless you're using low level man-at-arms skills.
TL;DR
I don't really think it's worth having LOW strength for armour, but should be viable with no/mid/high strength.
