Do i need a anti-static wristband?

Alright, so im going to be assembling my new comp tomorrow, and i was wonder if i need an anti static wrist band, or something? Or can i just touch copper or w/e. Also, whats the best surface to build it on? I was thinking tile because it would generate less electricity than carpet. Thanks guyscole_793

So, if i didnt buy one, what would be that safest way to build?cole_793

So, if i didnt buy one, what would be that safest way to build?cole_793

[QUOTE="cole_793"] Alright, so im going to be assembling my new comp tomorrow, and i was wonder if i need an anti static wrist band, or something? Or can i just touch copper or w/e. Also, whats the best surface to build it on? I was thinking tile because it would generate less electricity than carpet. Thanks guysNibroc420

I'd suggest one too, but if you are working on a concrete floor and building it on a table, then all you have to do is touch a metal piece of the case to ground yourself.

I don't suggest using your hands with the psu connected, that's a NO,NO, the most simple way to stop ESD (electrostatic discharge) is taking your shoes off and make firm contact with the floor if you can't afford to buy an anti-static wristband or those thingys for your shoes

I don't suggest using your hands with the psu connected, that's a NO,NO, the most simple way to stop ESD (electrostatic discharge) is taking your shoes off and make firm contact with the floor if you can't afford to buy an anti-static wristband or those thingys for your shoes

hrah

why not building your pc with the psu connected???, nothing special just as a precaution of touching some component with electrical current running by accident and the risk of getting friedhrah

[QUOTE="hrah"]why not building your pc with the psu connected???, nothing special just as a precaution of touching some component with electrical current running by accident and the risk of getting friedNibroc420

if it's off it's ok.hrah

yes IF the psu cable has 3 connector one of them is for grounding. so what you say would be true, connecting the cable to the psu but not turning off a thing would kill ESD, But you can do the same being bare feet on the floor and not having the cable connected, which for a newbie would be great (safety first)hrah

Guess it wouldn't hurt if you built it naked. Unless you have a really hairy body maybeInfinite-Zr0

I alwyas build mine on the carpet floor while sitting down and I never use an anti-static wristband even though I know I should. I am very careful though and a perfectionist so I handle each piece very carefully. Been lucky so far I guess. Next time I put one together I will get one of those I think.

Thing I hate the most is connecting the CPU and fan. I think they were designed by a sadist because some of those buggers are a real pain in the BLEEP to attach to the motherboard. Push down with 100 pounds of force on two pins...tiwst and turn. I think they could come up with a better system. I just upgraded because the CPU and fan popped lose from the motherboard. Two of the pins were lose and the other two were fine. Never had that happen before.

Couldn't figure out why the system would power up for a second then turn of. Then when I was checking everything in the case I noticed the CPU and fan were lose.

The best rule of thumb no matter what anybody tells you is this. If the outlet is grounded (meaning a standard three prong outlet), and the PSU has a on/off switch on the back, then leave it plugged in and switched off. This will leave the system grounded and better able to handle any static discahrge. Again, ony do this if the PSU has an on/off switch and you switch it off. If it doesnt (and some dont) then unplug the system from the wall.

***EDIT***

Woops, didnt mean to submit yet, as I wasnt finished. Of course you dont build the system with the PSU plugged in. Working on it afterwards however is fine. Just follow the steps above. As for an antistatic strap or mat, I really dont see it being a problem. I stopped counting my builds after about 5000 systems and that was back in 2000. In the past couple of decades of building, I've killed two componets from static, and one of those was from a discharge in a flyback transformer. The other was a Celeron 300a (yes I killed one with static). Keep in mind I'm talking about buildin thousands of systems andonly the gods know how many I've worked on. Just discharge yourself before you start working, and if you walk away and come back, then disharge yourself again. Thats about all there is to it.

so to discharge yourself all you do it touch the case?cole_793

Yup that is what I do. Seems to have worked for me so far. I only grab parts by the edges. Also summer seems better than winter for building a system....the humidity. If you are pretty careful with the parts you should be fine but if you really want to be on the safe side you could always get a wrist band.

static electricity is isn't easy to nail down and doesn't always do the damage right away, you could get away with no anti-static strap and install with no problems and the system would boot fine.. but months or even weeks down the line you could start to have problems with your hardware...it's your call...

touching the case is fine, but only really works if the power supply is connected.. and static can start to build up as soon as you let go of the case, you shouldnt build on a carpet as it is a conductor.. and a wooden floor is fine, but because of wood treatments and paint.. it can create static too... stone/tiled floor is best.

and if you haven't got an anti-static strap.. then a wire around your wrist and the other end on the case (power supply plugged in) should be fine.

Alright, so im going to be assembling my new comp tomorrow, and i was wonder if i need an anti static wrist band, or something? Or can i just touch copper or w/e. Also, whats the best surface to build it on? I was thinking tile because it would generate less electricity than carpet. Thanks guyscole_793

Look for anti-static boot/show straps. They keep your entire body grounded. I had to use them when i worked at a Nortel warehouse on 300,000-500,000usd+ telephone digital switches. If it is good enough for those it is good enough for you.

I dont wear them when i build nor a anti-wrist strap. However if your afraid then i can understand and the foot straps are just plain better overall. I just work on tile or non carpeted floor on my workboots and touch the chasis every now and then.

Just dont walk around outside during a lightning storm. Your grounded with the straps.