Question Is it advisable to replace the CPU due to possible damage by static electricity?

[anandtechreader]

Hi, as mentioned in the following thread, I once touched the heatsink while the computer was on. I got big static electricity. Also happened a few times when I touched the metal frame of the case. Since then, the computer has been behaving strangly. How likely did I damage the CPU and or SSD? Is it better to replace them?

https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...ll-pause-then-the-rest-are-displayed.2560219/

 

[Topweasel]

It's almost impossible to kill any device and specially not a CPU with static electricity. You certainly did nothing to the SSD. If anything it you could have damaged something on the motherboard. But honestly this is probably a case of hypochondria. You think you did something wrong and are expecting it to be acting "weird" so now every slight hiccup is a sign that you broke something.

First trick when something is acting weird enough for me to think I might have some hardware to replace. I back up the computer. Reload the OS. Grab the latest drivers do all the updates. Then run some extended burn in tests.

 

[anandtechreader]

It's almost impossible to kill any device and specially not a CPU with static electricity. You certainly did nothing to the SSD. If anything it you could have damaged something on the motherboard. But honestly this is probably a case of hypochondria. You think you did something wrong and are expecting it to be acting "weird" so now every slight hiccup is a sign that you broke something.

First trick when something is acting weird enough for me to think I might have some hardware to replace. I back up the computer. Reload the OS. Grab the latest drivers do all the updates. Then run some extended burn in tests.

Thanks. I have already installed Windows the second time and the latest drivers but when I pressed the Windows key, the computer still showed half of the stuffs, paused for a second and then showed the remaining. As I returned the motherboard already, I cannot run some extended burn in tests. Since the return periods for the CPU and SSD are approaching, I also do not have the time to wait for the motherboard to arrive and then test these two components.

My reasoning is that the heatsink is directly connected the the CPU which is connected to the motherboard. The NvME SSD is also connected to the motherboard directly. So, the shock might have passed from the point of contact down to the CPU and then to the motherboard and RAM.

 

[Charlie22911]

Depending on how your heatsink is mounted, it’s likely that discharge went right to ground. While static can and does kill components (I’ve killed a few stick of ram), I doubt you’ve done any harm to your system.

 

[anandtechreader]

Depending on how your heatsink is mounted, it’s likely that discharge went right to ground. While static can and does kill components (I’ve killed a few stick of ram), I doubt you’ve done any harm to your system.

From 7:30, it shows how to mount it.

How to prevent static killing components?

 

[LTC8K6]

We generally touch the computer case first, so that any static charge goes to ground, before we touch anything important.
The CPU has a big metal shield over it, called the IHS.
There's virtually no chance that touching the case, or the heat sink, did any damage.

Maybe if you had lightning coming out of your finger...

 

[ericlp]

While you probably should not touch parts inside while a computer is running... Best thing you can do is touch the metal chassi (anything that is not painted or just touch the power supply). Reason why, is because the entire chassi is grounded via the power supply... Three wires go into the P/S, Neutral / Hot and Ground. So, any static build up will go straight to ground. Funny thing is ... I always use to unplug the power supply before touching anything. Without the power (plugged in) there is no grounding... so just use the switch on the power supply so that the computer is grounded to the earth ground of the power in your home.

 

[anandtechreader]

Where can I get a North America version of the yellow grounding plug shown in this link?

https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/cpu-100

Together with an anti-static mat, will such combination be useful?

Is there a possibility that the ground of the electric socket in my apartment was not properly made? I told Corsair about my case and asked them why I got electricity shocks. I asked about safety but they have no comment.

 

[LTC8K6]

Seems like it's just static electricity and you are worrying far too much about it.

The computer case, board, and power supply are grounded.

Turn the power supply switch off and then just touch the computer case before you touch anything inside the computer.

If you have a plastic case, then touch the metal power supply chassis first.

Then unplug the computer and do whatever work you need to do.

An outlet tester can be purchased very cheaply. This will tell you if your outlets are wired properly.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RUL2UU

 

[Muadib]

You should use a ground strap. While I have never come across a problem with static, it's not unheard of. For less than $10, it's cheap security.
https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Static-...012&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=ground+straps&psc=1

 

[anandtechreader]

Thanks. I received an anti-static wrist strap. My BeQuiet DarkBase Pro 900 Rev 2 case is fully painted. There is no unpainted part. It seems that my Corsair AX1600i PSU is the same. What shall I do in this case?

 

[LTC8K6]

The paint is not enough insulation to bother the high voltage static discharge. The static electricity will discharge right through the paint layer.

You seem overly concerned about this, so you can put a "ground screw" in the case just for the purpose.

You can just replace one of the thumb screws with a regular case screw, or you can drill a hole and add a screw.

 

[ehume]

I did a review of the BeQuiet DarkBase Pro at Overclockers.com 2107-11-03. Taking off all the Panels, what was left was a steel skeleton. You may look at the pictures, but the most easily accessible metal is the back panel.