Anti-static wrist band?

[killerguy576]

Do i really need a Anti-static wrist band to build a pc or am i okay without using one?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Never used one in over 3 dozen builds.

Ground yourself to the chassis by touching it before handling any components.

 

[o7k1am0eg424]

Ideally yes.

Make it a definitive yes if you wear synthetic fiber clothes, polyester, cotton/ poly blends; are not extremely situationally aware and not very mindful to ground yourself after every move; work space is on carpet, vinyl composite tiles (VCT) vinyl sheet flooring (frequently confused with linoleum) or in presence of high voltage devices.

You can chance it if you answer no to all the above. Have a earth ground metal surface to discharge yourself after every move, before touching the components, and as you are moving to assemble them. Are not in an environment that has less than 60% relative humidity.

No, if you are destroying your equipment on purpose.

Practically as die lithography gets smaller, 14nm currently it takes very little static charge to puncture the thin glass layer the separates the conductive layers of the chips. Considering that a wrist grounding strap runs from five to twenty dollars it is worthy investment.

DO NOT USE GROUNDING WRISTBAND ON UNITS PLUGGED INTO AN OUTLET OR UPS UNITS. You can shock or electrocute yourself!

Note: the antistatic bags boards come shipped in only have antistatic properties on the inside. If you need a makeshift resting place, turn the bags inside out and then place the components on them.

 

[o7k1am0eg424]

Never used one in over 3 dozen builds.

Ground yourself to the chassis by touching it before handling any components.

Respectfully, SR-71, today's computer chips are much more likely to be damaged by low level static voltages, due to the diminishing size of construction than five years ago. It's very easy to fry a couple or ram module with an accidental brush of your finger. So, for the cost of a wristband it's cheap insurance.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Not really needed but if it makes the builder fell more comfortable they can use one. Most builders never ever use them. Built 3 more last week all on the new Intel Platform, no issues ever, 38 total builds now.

 

[J_E_D_70]

I use one now, but didnt for many years without issue. Doesnt hurt to use one, but dont panic without.