Is it safe to bubble wrap components?

Exoon · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:32

Hello,

Ive just built myself a new PC so decided to strip my old one down and sell all the parts on eBay.

I was just wondering as i only have 2 anti static bags for the Mobo + Graphics card.

Would it be safe to wrap the RAM and Hard drives in bubble wrap then put inside a strong packed out box so it dosen't move around?

Or do i need to put everything in a anti-static bag?

Thanks

stulid · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:33

the Harddrive will be fine, the RAM I would like to see in anti-static bags too.

RJC · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:35

The auction place has anti-static bags, might be worth picking some up.

JonJ678 · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:37

The exposed circuit board on the hard drive doesn't like static much. I'd second RJC's suggestion.

Samsung hard drives seem to come in clear plastic boxes these days though, so I may well be wrong about the hard drive and static.

Redmint · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:39

Sent a few RAM sticks in bubble wrap in the past without any issues, think the risk of static is pretty low.

Admiral Huddy · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:43

The effects of ESD aren't always short term.. so always use Anti-static bags where ever possible. Have you ever had a short from ESD? Now imagine that charge on your lovely new 1.5v rated DDR3!

You can buy Anti-ESD bubble bags.

Exoon · 21 Feb 2011 at 16:48

I found another anti-static bag in an old Mobo box so ive got enough for everything now except the 2 Hard Drives. Will just risk it with Bubble wrap. There only 500GB so not gunna sell for much anyway so don't really want to spend 5 on anti static bubble wrap.

Thanks for the advice.

SparkyG · 21 Feb 2011 at 18:31

If you do use bubble wrap make sure you use enough so that if postie drops it it will still be ok. The amount of second hard drives I have bought that has had hardly any packaging and arrive broken.