Building PC soon, static discharge question.

[Dan2312]

Im gonna be building my i7 soon and the last thing i wanna do is ruin it over a bit of static,


The floor in my room is laminate (wooden) and when building i won't be wearing any socks, lol, will i be grounded?

Also say that i have all my parts, nothing together what so ever, and people say that keeping in contact the case will discharge static, but how can this be if my antec 1200 is on my floor or on a workbench without a PSU installed?

i do have a wrist strap, ive never used one before, but because im meddling with expensive parts, i won't be taking a chance in damaging something, should this be connected to the case?

Hows the safest way to handle a CPU? is there a special tool to put it in the socket?


Cheers, Dan.

 

[ShadowFold]

I am on a wood floors, tile, carpet and I've never ran into any static problems. Just make sure to touch a non-painted part of your case to discharge yourself. As for the CPU, just align the corners(it should have a yellow arrow on the CPU and the socket so match those), put the cooler on and your set.

 

[craigwhiteside]

I feel grounding myself by touching a radiator sufficient, though you can go and buy a ground strip if you want to be more cautious,

As for putting the cpu in the socket, i just hold it at the edges (like you do with other PCB's) and make sure you dont touch where the pins go on the cpu, and also its best not to touch the IHS as oil and residue from your fingers, can negatively impact your cooling performance once you put on thermal paste.

 

[Dan2312]

The Entire case is black even inside, all the steel is black.

I guess it will still be safe, unless anyone with an Antec 1200 says otherwise?

 

[mlee49]

You'll be good by working in a room without carpet. Just wash your hands and apply a bit of lotion to cut out any transferable static charge. You can also run a DeHumidifier to cut down on the dust, there for cut down on the "In Air" static charge(kinda if you have one, but not necessary).
I touch the case cause its the best grounding point, even without a PSU. If you feel skidish just use the wrist strap and ground it to your case.
As far as the cpu, just hold by the edges and try not to touch the shiny parts You should be fine as long as your careful with your parts and not playing with them(handling them will generate charge after a while).

By the way dont forget to put in your case's spacers behind the mother board, screwing the mother board into the case will short out the motherboard on the first power on.

 

[Dan2312]

I used to touch my ceiling fan switches to discharge myself when medelling with my last pc, with them gone, i can't really see any other substitute.

 

[Dan2312]

By the way dont forget to put in your case's spacers behind the mother board, screwing the mother board into the case will short out the motherboard on the first power on.

They came pre-fitted in my antec!

so thats already sorted.

 

[KBD]

Good to see people are being concerned about static electricity. And your concern is understandable but i wouldn't worry too much since things like grounding your self or wearing a strap will protect your hardware. Just make sure you touch an unpainted metal object or attach your strap to such an object and you'll be fine. Wearing shoes also helps, working barefoot i'm not sure about. But as long as you are on a wooden floor you r OK.

As far as handling the CPU, there are no tools for that but you should be extra careful when istalling it. Don not touch the bottom part where the pins are and pick it up either by holding it by the sides (what i do) or corners. Here is a nice guide that will tell you how to install a CPU, granted its for Socket 775 but the principle is the same:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2231&page=1

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

I always build outside. That is the only sure way to be safe. I also on rare occasions ground myself via power outlet. I stopped doing that cause if the house was miswired, I might die.

 

[Dan2312]

My 3rd party CPU Fan also uses push pins, are these a pain in the backside to install?

 

[ShadowFold]

My 3rd party CPU Fan also uses push pins, are these a pain in the backside to install?

I always get Xigmatek and the retention brackets for any Intel builds because I loath them so much. They work good but they are relatively hard to install with a massive cooler..

 

[mlee49]

Push pins are flaky and if you have a bolt through kit use that.

 

[Dan2312]

ok cheers people,

When its up and running, my next questions will be standard operating temps for my system.

Does using artic silver 5 make any noticeable difference in temps over other compounds?

 

[craigwhiteside]

ok cheers people,

When its up and running, my next questions will be standard operating temps for my system.

Does using artic silver 5 make any noticeable difference in temps over other compounds?

get MX-2, or TX-2

arctic 5 is a little bit outdated now

 

[ShadowFold]

I would've gotten some good compound. AS5 isn't as good as the newer compounds like some from Tuniq TX-2, Arctic Cooling MX-2, Xigmatek, Noctua etc.

 

[spearman914]

I've done it wearing a sweater and no problems. Just strip urself naked and start building. LMAO

 

[spearman914]

get MX-2, or TX-2

arctic 5 is a little bit outdated now

AS5 can't compare to the MX-2. Mx-2 is non-conductive which means when u apply it, it stays on forever so u don't have to reapply the thermal grease.

 

[craigwhiteside]

I've done it wearing a sweater and no problems. Just strip urself naked and start building. LMAO

lol wut???

 

[RevengE]

I just touch my case when installing expensive componets. There is
No "special tool" for installing a CPU just line up the pins and slide it in you will be fine when in comes to static I have built 4 computers on a carpet floor and never had a problem.

 

[Dan2312]

get MX-2, or TX-2

arctic 5 is a little bit outdated now

Damn!

Ill just get some more, its not expensive anyhoo.

 

[craigwhiteside]

Damn!

Ill just get some more, its not expensive anyhoo.

Well if you already have some as5, might as well use it

 

[Dan2312]

ill see if i can sell it or return it, its not been touched. i purchased it last weekend.

 

[exodusprime1337]

i put toggether almost every pc i've ever built in front of the tv on the carpet in my living room. never once had a problem... no spilling soda while doing it.. that's another question.

if you're concerned though, where rubber soled shoes. touch the metal parts ont he pc repeatedly during building to make sure you're discharging any static you have. honestly it takes quite a static shock to fry most hardware, i think you'll be fine.

 

[Thrackan]

You'll be good by working in a room without carpet. Just wash your hands and apply a bit of lotion to cut out any transferable static charge. You can also run a DeHumidifier to cut down on the dust, there for cut down on the "In Air" static charge(kinda if you have one, but not necessary).
I touch the case cause its the best grounding point, even without a PSU. If you feel skidish just use the wrist strap and ground it to your case.
As far as the cpu, just hold by the edges and try not to touch the shiny parts You should be fine as long as your careful with your parts and not playing with them(handling them will generate charge after a while).

By the way dont forget to put in your case's spacers behind the mother board, screwing the mother board into the case will short out the motherboard on the first power on.

Static builds up in dry environments. Humidity actually is a good thing when static is concerned, so puffin a lil' steam into your room would be quite good for the circumstances.

When grounding is concerned, you don't have to be absolutely grounded to a zero charge level, but the charge of your case, parts and you should be about equal. So just touch the case, PSU casing or whatever and don't go rubbing yourself wildly in the build process.

I sometimes lay my RAM on the drive bays while building, but that's more of a habit born out of laziness. It should even the charges on case/RAM though.

Basically: don't do weird stuff, don't go wiggling on a skai-clad chair, don't rub-rub your dog/cat/goldfish/pleasure stick, but just stick with building until it's done

 

[Binge]

I've got to be insane or just missing electrons because I wear wool sweaters, spandex pants, wool socks, and leg warmers while shuffling on shag carpet all day and fondle my internals without grounding myself at least to the case no problems!