Can static damage PC components?

[blobloblo]

Can leaving a PC component like a motherboard or graphics card on a statically conductive surface like a carpet or a blanket harm or even completely fry pc components without being grounded and without any sort of anti static protection? I know the answer is yes, I just told this to a friend who doesn't believe me

 

[Someone Somewhere]

'Statically conductive' is an oxymoron. Almost by definition, something is prone to collecting static charge by being extremely non-conductive, or conductive but insulated from something else.

No, simply leaving it somewhere is unlikely to have an effect. Movement is how static charges are generated.

 

[Gam3r01]

I concur here. Leaving an object in a non moving (static, not electrostatic) position will not create a discharge, which is what damages components.
If you were to drag the GPU across a blanket, then you would have issues.

 

[blobloblo]

Sorry guys I didn't specify, I meant building on a carpet surface and literally putting the parts together on a blanket, so standing on a carpet and putting the parts together on a blanket... My friend just built a pc and is wondering why it won't work, I asled him how he built it and he said that's how, when I told him he probably fried his parts he said it wasn't possible because "how can static break parts"

 

[Gam3r01]

Its not a good idea, but unless there was a physical discharge I doubt that was the cause.
Its best to build on non conductive surfaces, (I build on hardwood floors with a solid oak and steel desk I built)

However, if you dont move enough to create static, then there is no real issue.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Static can break parts. That is correct.

Building on carpet is mainly dangerous because people move around (thus generating static charge), then come back and touch sensitive components.

If you stay in one place or make sure to discharge yourself harmlessly, it's fine.