First rig, a powerhouse

[ROGLarry]

Just looking for any insight or suggestions on my current build. I have everything ready to go but unfortunately am waiting on the psu to ship from NCIX 😗 This is my first build, and I do have a better than average knowledge of computers, just not as much from a builder's / compatibility aspect. I had been reading things about Haswell chips and 1.65V RAM... Also, what to do/install upon first boot with the exception of the basics (antimalware, antivirus, drivers, etc).

NZXT Phantom (Red)
i7 4790K
Corsair H100i CPU Cooler
Asus Maximus VII Hero
Samsung EVO 250GB
WD Red Pro 1TB 7200RPM
Corsair Vengeance Pro 2400MHz 16GB (2x8)
EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0
EVGA 850W G2

 

[Vexillarius]

That's a great build!

Here's a guide full of useful optimizations for Windows 8: http://www.overclock.net/t/1240779/seans-windows-8-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds And Windows 7: http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds
The System Setup After Installation section is the most useful in my opinion. Installing Windows itself is as simple as following the setup program.

Don't forget to enable the RAM's XMP profile, preferably after installing Windows. Also, make sure you only have the SSD plugged in when installing Windows. Windows sometimes (rarely) messes up the installation when multiple drives are attached.

Don't worry about the whole Haswell/1.65V thing. 1.65V RAM is not officially supported, but it shows up in plenty of motherboard QVLs and it works fine.

Do you have a good understanding of how to actually build the system?

 

[ROGLarry]

I do, and have most of it put together. I do have one question regarding airflow, though. I was going to put a 140mm in the front, keep the two 120mm fans on the side (came with the case), and put another 200mm fan up top to have dual 200mm fans on the top. Now I just need suggestions as to where the H100i fans and rad should mount. The NZXT case came with a few brackets to mount the rad under the 200mm fans, but I just want to get proper airflow. Suggestions? 😀

 

[Vexillarius]

I have my H220-X under two 200mm fans in the top of my HAF X, all intake. Doesn't seem to matter for temperatures much.

I don't see another option with the Phantom. You could technically put it in the sidepanel I think, but that would be nigh-impossible to install.

 

[ROGLarry]

I was planning on doing front 140mm intake, the two 120mm side panel as exhaust, the 200mm side panel as intake, the back 120mm as exhaust, and the two top 200mm as intake for a push/pull setup with the H100i. Although now I am thinking that may not work, as the front 140mm fan will be pushing through the front right next to the two 120mm side panels that are set up as exhaust, rendering the 140mm intake useless. Ugh, I'm assuming this is something I will need to just do a trial and error process with benchmarking and temperature logging.

 

[Vexillarius]

Airflow can be tricky. I'd try to keep all the fans in a certain side of the case (top, bottom, side, etc.) blowing the same way, either intake or exhaust.

Usually you'd want front and side as intake and top and rear as exhaust, but as long as you have at least one intake and one exhaust, and there's not too much turbulence you'll be fine. Everything else is optimizations.