Static Damage to CPU

[0121danwilliams84]

Hello,

Just thought I would ask the advice of people on here. I recently took out an Intel lga 1151 CPU and cleaned it to reapply thermal paste. I completely forgot about static electricity. I didn't think about grounding myself and I did this with no shoes on, on carpet. Am I overreacting by thinking I would have somehow damaged the CPU? it still works the same way and passes various stability tests. Is the outside of the CPU more robust. I tried to just touch the edges as much as possible and not touch the flat pins too much.

Thanks for any help anyone could give..

 

[Begbie]

It works, why are you worried?

 

[d_brennen]

in 20 odd years of messing about with computer gear personally and professionally I have never once killed anything with static

 

[hornetstinger]

I think I damaged a memory module, but this was years ago, they're probably more resiliant now.

 

[0121danwilliams84]

Yeah, I know but then you start reading things like you can shock the CPU without realizing and the effects show up later. I know I have OCD.

 

[esoteric]

The potential is there but the possibility of it happening practically zero.

 

[wedrum]

in 20 odd years of messing about with computer gear personally and professionally I have never once killed anything with static

same

 

[0121danwilliams84]

Right. You are all helping me feel more relaxed Why do they bother saying be careful with anti-static bags, use a wrist strap or build on non-conductive surface then? Just to eliminate the small possibility i guess.

 

[0121danwilliams84]

Thanks peeps for the help :-0

 

[Begbie]

Right. You are all helping me feel more relaxed Why do they bother saying be careful with anti-static bags, use a wrist strap or build on non-conductive surface then? Just to eliminate the small possibility i guess.

Tiny possibility, and to reduce the damage during transport. If it gets static damage on transport, they'll have a lot of returns. Static bags are cheap, replacing components isn't.

 

[Glanza]

If you'd damaged it the PC would have unlikely booted up and behaved since you did it, Don't worry about it.

 

[0121danwilliams84]

I've heard both sides. Nothing to worry about and you must worry a lot! I guess I'll just try and be more careful in future

 

[Trig]

The only time I've damaged anything with static was back in the day where we had a room full of CRT monitors, we'd get someone on a wheelie chair, push them around and touching all of the screens, then wheel them up behind someone and touch their ear...

 

[0121danwilliams84]

haha I remember those old crackly screens. You knew there was static charge there. I am probably worrying over nothing, but I am a worrier and I need something to worry about

 

[Trig]

If the thing you are worrying about is a working CPU then don't watch the news ffs

 

[Admiral Huddy]

The effects of ESD problem is longer term, normally referred to as a latent defect.. they effect parts that are more sensitive to ESD... as components become smaller than so too do the transistors etc. and become more vulnerable. However, I've only come across this a few times down the years... sudden odd behaviour etc. so I wouldn't worry too much. You'll have 5 PCs until the effects are realised nd your CPU will be a paper weight by then..

That said, I always to take ESD precautions when working on other peoples PCs. It costs nothing.

 

[0121danwilliams84]

Thanks for all the help with this guys. Looking into it further. Would you say the IHS and the fiber glass sides of the package protects the CPU die itself or would static go through it?

 

[Admiral Huddy]

The IHS no as it's conductive.. That's it's purpose - to transfer heat. Not sure what you mean by the fibre glass.

I think you are worrying too much.. It's you are worried, then run a CPU stress test for a few hours.. CPUs are far more resilient than they once were.. believe me. If you have ever cracked a CPU die, you'll know what I mean..

 

[0121danwilliams84]

Thanks, I just meant the plastic-like sides of the cpu, as they may not be conductive. Yeah, I am going to run tests to see.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

in 20 odd years of messing about with computer gear personally and professionally I have never once killed anything with static

+1

I've never bothered with the static precautions (touching a radiator, using an anti-static strap etc). I even vacuum my computer to get rid of dust build up.