Amazing Desktop Computers & Computer Hardware

Stigg said:

This is not the simplest video I've seen on how to build a PC, but it's current.

I don't agree with everything in this video. It could have been made shorter and simpler and not talked about BIOS flashing for this particular video. BIOS flashing should be a separate video as you'll rarely need to flash the BIOS to get your new computer up and running. I would have installed the RAM before installing the CPU cooler. There is some other stuff that could have been omitted.

He did say it's optional, but I have never used an anti-static wrist strap. You also don't need the magnetic parts tray.

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Maybe he is being thorough and giving new builders the correct information? You don't think it is good advice?

Why do you need an anti static wrist strap when building computers?​

As much as possible, you want to avoid ESD (electrostatic discharge) when building computers. You probably have experienced ESD or electrostatic discharge, and a good example for this is when you experience a shock when you touch a doorknob after casually walking on a carpet.

The computer has delicate parts that even the slightest of ESD could risk damaging the hardware or the component, rendering them useless. And you don’t want to risk your newly purchased graphics card or worse, your motherboard at all.

PvtJohnTowle said:

Maybe he is being thorough and giving new builders the correct information? You don't think it is good advice?

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I think he probably had to mention it to cover his backside, but I've been building and upgrading computers for decades and have never used an anti-static wrist strap and have never damaged anything due to electrostatic discharge.

In certain weather conditions, static can be more prevalent. The only precaution I've ever taken when I notice static is to touch a metal part of the computer case just as a precaution.

I've seen other similar stories about vacuum cleaners damaging computer parts, but once again, I've never personally experienced it.

Stigg said:

I think he probably had to mention it to cover his backside, but I've been building and upgrading computers for decades and have never used an anti-static wrist strap and have never damaged anything due to electrostatic discharge.

In certain weather conditions, static can be more prevalent. The only precaution I've ever taken when I notice static is to touch a metal part of the computer case just as a precaution.

I've seen other similar stories about vacuum cleaners damaging computer parts, but once again, I've never personally experienced it.

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I have the anti-static thing but never used it.
I guess it depends on weather and environment. If you live in a house with wall to wall carpet, that is when you really need an anti-static. But again, it depends on the builder. All you need is just to release the static by touching a metal or something.

Stigg said:

I think he probably had to mention it to cover his backside, but I've been building and upgrading computers for decades and have never used an anti-static wrist strap and have never damaged anything due to electrostatic discharge.

In certain weather conditions, static can be more prevalent. The only precaution I've ever taken when I notice static is to touch a metal part of the computer case just as a precaution.

I've seen other similar stories about vacuum cleaners damaging computer parts, but once again, I've never personally experienced it.

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Personally, I just make sure to touch a metal part of the case before installing parts. If you always have static problems in your house though, getting shocked touching door knobs for example, you might want to get one. I never have those static issues and I've never had a problem building a pc. Remember to just don't build on carpet, don't pet your pet, don't wear woolen clothing. You should be fine by plugging your PSU into the wall (and turning the psu OFF) and touching that every once in a while.
When I built my pc I didn't do any of these things even though I know I should have but my build is in perfect condition now.

I used to do this years ago -- these days I'm more interested in tiny "Micro" set ups -- I'm messing around these days with ARM CPU's -- with things like "Tobacco tin size" Raspberry PI's running Windows etc. There's some monster 80 and 128 bit core ARM CPU's 's out there now (at a price !!!) -which would easily blow any INTEL / AMD processor right out of the solar system. That IMO is where the next advances are going to come in at -- things like proper A.I , Robotics, and Virtual Reality, plus holographic systems will really require a mammoth amount of CPU power !!!!.

Cheers
jimbo

What I'd really like to know is... Who has ever had that happen to them that static electricity has killed a component? They must be the unluckiest person in the world.

Stigg said:

What I'd really like to know is... Who has ever had that happen to them that static electricity has killed a component? They must be the unluckiest person in the world.

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I was working at Los Alamos in a computer/counting room a while back. The climate was really dry. I was full of static electricity. I walked by a racked computer and spark jumped out from me and I killed it.

Even so,I don't use a strap on my stuff. I just handle cards, MB, etc. in/on their static bags and ground myself to the case by touching a bare metal part of it. Never killed or damaged anything (since that one experience).

It's pretty easy to compromise an electronic device with ESD. I have done it many times at work when I have forgotten to wear my heel grounder or a static strap. I always use a strap when working inside my PC. The last thing I want to do is blow a $1100 GPU or $600 processor.

The thing is that ESD can be subtle. It may not destroy your component, but it could make it unreliable or flaky, and as far as I am concerned, that is even worse because it is hard to trace the fault.

On thing that you can do if you don't have a strap is build your PC in the kitchen with bare feet on a linoleum or tile floor. Touch the water taps before you start, then touch the case. You should be good after that, for the most part. Also, wear cotton, not synthetic fabrics when working on your PC as synthetics can generate static electricity whilst you are moving. So, jeans and a t-shirt and bare feet. Then you are set to do anything.