Static vs Hardware

[SnoopCat]

how much static is actually needed to ruin hardware,ive always been opening computers and holding componenets while walking all over the place in my carpeted house, never had any problems....

 

[MichaelD]

A microvolt is all that's needed to fry a stick of memory/videocard or most components you'd find in a typical PC/Mac.

A static electricity shock so small, that you wouldn't even feel or notice it is all that it takes.

But................

That said...I've built 4 computers, standing on carpet (had sneakers on, though) and nothings ever gone wrong. However, I keep everything in a static bag until ready for installation. I also touch the powersupply/case chassis before handling anything and try not to move my feet while doing it. Sounds hard, but it becomes habit and you do it (don't do it?) subconsciously.

If I'm cleaning inside the case and remove anything, I place it in a static bag until it's time for reinstallation then I follow the steps above.

 

[bozo1]

The problem with ESD (static) is that 99% of the time the failure is not immediately. When the chips are hit by ESD, the failure can come hours, days, weeks or even months later. ESD damage physically damages the silicon and shortens the life of the components. I used to have a cool video provided by 3M that showed closeups of the damage chips innards. I don't remember what the numbers are but it is something like damage can occur at 30 volts discharge but it takes over 1000 volts before you actually feel the shock.

That being said, I've never had a problem but I always ground myself before touching anything. (I just touch the powersupply.)