ive got all my pc parts and im going to build tommorrow, but my dad keeps moaning about static electricity, im going to build on a table which is wood, and ive read that i need to touch the metal of the psu to disperse the static, what i am wondering is will this be okay? ill handle all the parts from the edges n all that stuff, is there any danger of breaking anything due to static?
Static!
- Thread starter taz488
- Start date
I've never worried too much about static. Touch a tap or radiator every few minutes and you'll be perfectly fine. Sometimes wearing shoes can increase the chances of static (probably something to do with the carpet too), so I always take them off.
ESD is a difficult and 'touchy' subject. People have different conductive properties, some people walk around getting static zaps as they get out of cars, walk up metal staircases, etc etc. Other people go their entire lives without ever getting an accidental static jolt.
Even people that dont get noticable static jolts, can still discharge enough to damage computer componants.
Thing is, the damage caused to componants varies considerably. A small zap may do nothing apparent, but it could reduce the lifespan of the componants (But as most componants can last 10+ years, even if the damage halves the life, most people will replace the parts before they fail anyway). Alternativly it could turn a great overclocking part into an average one. Still works flawlessly at stock speeds, but doesnt clock quite as high as it would have without the damage. Then again it could be 99.999999% stable, but have a very occasional intermittant fault, which could be noticed (IE crash causing), could produce a minor error (an error while gaming might produce a graphics glitch on a single frame, and then disappear again), or it could cause a program to make a miscalculation.. Oh dear your accounts program shows you with 1k more in the bank than you really have.
So often you hear people whining about how bad microsoft programming is, well I've been using windows XP since it was first released and I can count the number of crashes I've had on one hand.
Sometimes you can 'compensate' for damage by overvolting a little. This is very true of DDR memories, a little more power can make a faulty part totally stable.
Touching the metal of your case (while a the PSU is plugged into the mains with the AC power turned off) will considerable reduce the risk of ESD. Wearing a wrist strap is even better.
Im one of the lucky ones, like several on this forum, I seem to get by with just 'casual' ESD precations (touching the psu), I have a friend who can fry computer parts just by looking at them, but using a strap he's fine.
Well, hope I've not scared ya or anything
just be carefull, try not to rub anything, natural fibre clothes are generally better than synthetics, and keep touching that PSU you'll most likely be fine.
Even people that dont get noticable static jolts, can still discharge enough to damage computer componants.
Thing is, the damage caused to componants varies considerably. A small zap may do nothing apparent, but it could reduce the lifespan of the componants (But as most componants can last 10+ years, even if the damage halves the life, most people will replace the parts before they fail anyway). Alternativly it could turn a great overclocking part into an average one. Still works flawlessly at stock speeds, but doesnt clock quite as high as it would have without the damage. Then again it could be 99.999999% stable, but have a very occasional intermittant fault, which could be noticed (IE crash causing), could produce a minor error (an error while gaming might produce a graphics glitch on a single frame, and then disappear again), or it could cause a program to make a miscalculation.. Oh dear your accounts program shows you with 1k more in the bank than you really have.
So often you hear people whining about how bad microsoft programming is, well I've been using windows XP since it was first released and I can count the number of crashes I've had on one hand.
Sometimes you can 'compensate' for damage by overvolting a little. This is very true of DDR memories, a little more power can make a faulty part totally stable.
Touching the metal of your case (while a the PSU is plugged into the mains with the AC power turned off) will considerable reduce the risk of ESD. Wearing a wrist strap is even better.
Im one of the lucky ones, like several on this forum, I seem to get by with just 'casual' ESD precations (touching the psu), I have a friend who can fry computer parts just by looking at them, but using a strap he's fine.
Well, hope I've not scared ya or anything
just be carefull, try not to rub anything, natural fibre clothes are generally better than synthetics, and keep touching that PSU you'll most likely be fine.TheVoice said:
Most shoes are pretty good insulators, so you dont discharge to ground. Even worse some shoes react with synthetic carpets to generate additional charge. Kids used to do it all the time at my highschool. Shuffle across the carpet, and then ZAP touch someone's neck for a great static jolt.
Im a slacker, I always take off my shoes in the house, perhaps thats one of the reasons I rarely have any problem with static when building computers. Dunno
The first computer I built about 5 years ago died due to built up static. Maybe because I was building in on thick carpet, and hadn't discharged any static 
Anyway, go out and get yourself an Anti Static wristband. They only cost about 5 quid.
Not sure if OcUK sell them though.
Anyway, go out and get yourself an Anti Static wristband. They only cost about 5 quid.Not sure if OcUK sell them though.
You`ll be fine just touch the metal case frequently and take your own sweet time.
I don`t use wrist straps,when i was at A+ course briefly tutor told us not to use them he`d rather components got damaged than have to explain to our parents why we`re in er on last legs with sigue sigue sputnik hair lol.
I don`t use wrist straps,when i was at A+ course briefly tutor told us not to use them he`d rather components got damaged than have to explain to our parents why we`re in er on last legs with sigue sigue sputnik hair lol.
Associate
- Joined
- 21 Jul 2006
- Posts
- 299
- Location
- South Wales
I nicked a static mat from when i was workin, touch the static mat and the kit and away you gooo
otherwise i build machines in my kitchen >.<
You should be fine.
otherwise i build machines in my kitchen >.<
You should be fine.
Touching radiators and plugged in (none switched on) psus is something i always do. I have had a bad experience with my pc, my bro was trying to clear the BIOS on my very first PC for me, was wearing a guiness fleace when he took the battery out, but it back in after a minute and the board was dead.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Jun 2006
- Posts
- 5,248
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
I used to suffer quite severe, but intermittent static shocks when at work (on one day, off the next kinda thing). Turns out it was a particular combination of trousers and shoes - if I changed either, the shocks disappeared, but when wearing those two there was more than one occasion where people swore they saw a little lightning bolt (SHAZAM!) fly from my hand to the unwitting recipient's arm. I called them my zap-pants.
Anyway, practically, I'd advise you follow all the advice listed above and wear a pair of shorts, tshirt and no socks or shoes while you build your PC. Make it an Hawaiin shirt and you can pretend you're building your PC on the set of Magnum PI or Dog the Bounty Hunter. Bonus.
Anyway, practically, I'd advise you follow all the advice listed above and wear a pair of shorts, tshirt and no socks or shoes while you build your PC. Make it an Hawaiin shirt and you can pretend you're building your PC on the set of Magnum PI or Dog the Bounty Hunter. Bonus.
I've built dozen of pcs in the last few years & have never knackered anything with static,i also don't wear one of these bands either.
Common sense whilst building.I always do my builds in my kitchen,wooden floor etc .
I always just touch a raidiator as well,just like one of the previous posters does.
As long as you ain't doing it on the carpet & wearing nylon clothing you will be fine
Just take your time
Rob
Common sense whilst building.I always do my builds in my kitchen,wooden floor etc .
I always just touch a raidiator as well,just like one of the previous posters does.
As long as you ain't doing it on the carpet & wearing nylon clothing you will be fine
Just take your time
Rob
Never had any trouble here either, I just touch a plugged in PSU / case / radiator (whatever's closest lol) every so often. I did once get a noticable shock off a GeForce2 MX GPU, looked at the monitor and there were 2 huge pink squares across the display . Changed resolution and they were gone, it's run fine ever since.
. Changed resolution and they were gone, it's run fine ever since.