First build $3000, have a few questions

[eliteshinobi1]

Hello, I recently decided to build my own PC for rendering, gaming, PS work, and school work, and programming. I've researched a lot and I've chosen this rig:

**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74770k) | $324.98 @ Amazon
**CPU Cooler** | [Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14se2011) | $59.66 @ NCIX US
**Motherboard** | [Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-maximusvihero) | $189.99 @ NCIX US
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmy16gx3m2a2400c11r) | $165.98 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 EVO 1TB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te1t0bw) | $459.00 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st2000dm001) | $82.98 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Dual Classified ACX Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-03gp42888kr) | $759.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Fractal Design Define R4 (Arctic White) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4wh) | $94.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Corsair 860W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-ax860i) | $229.99 @ TigerDirect
**Optical Drive** | [LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-gh24ns95) | $17.95 @ Amazon
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-gfc02050) | $84.99 @ NCIX US
**Sound Card** | [Asus Xonar Essence STX 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-sound-card-xonaressencestx) | $186.99 @ Amazon
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $2657.49

I do not need a monitor or peripherals as I already have those.

Here are my questions:
1) Will a 780Ti graphics card run two 1440p monitors? I already have one and a 1080p, but I don't want to buy another one until I know. And will two 780 Ti graphics cards run 3 1440p monitors?
2) Will a 860W PSU be enough if I add an extra GTX 780 Ti? I was planning on adding another one later when I get my hands on more money.
3) Where do I need extra fans on my rig? I was planning to add some Noctua NF fans.
4) Do I need liquid cooling or is the NH-D14 enough? This is my first build, so I didn't want to mess up by making my liquid cooling loop wrong.

Thank you, and any comments on improvements are welcomed and much appreciated!

 

[g-unit1111]

1. Yes, two 780TIs will be able to handle 3 1440P monitors no problem. If you ditch the $200 sound card (completely unnecessary) and move a few things around you can actually buy the 2 780TIs when you get all the rest of your parts.
2. Yes but I'm personally not a fan of the Corsair AXi series. There's definitely better PSUs you can get.
3. Don't worry about that until you get your rig built. The fans you're able to buy are determined by the size of the mounts and the position of your heat sink and power supply determines how your system's air flows.
4. The D14 is a great cooler and nothing beats it for air, but the trend is moving toward liquid cooling and the third generation of closed loop coolers is coming around and manufacturers are putting out far better units than they used to.

That PC looks pretty good, here's a few suggestions I would make. First - lose the $200 sound card, it's a complete waste of money. Drop that and upgrade your PSU. Also that 1TB SSD - you do not come out ahead purchasing one as the cost per GB makes it completely unjustifiable. Get a 250GB SSD and a 1 - 2 TB HD.

Try something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($234.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 3.0 Extreme 99.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($85.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Extreme6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 460 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($153.12 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($148.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($704.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($704.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($118.23 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($23.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($104.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $2633.71
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-27 16:16 EDT-0400)

- Dropped the 1TB SSD for a 240GB SSD and 2TB HD - better cost per GB ratio
- Slightly slower RAM but you won't really notice the difference
- Put a quality liquid cooler in
- Dual GTX 780TI
- Ditched the Corsair PSU for an EVGA Super Flower PSU (Jonnyguru gave it their highest score - 9.9 out of 10: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=377 )