Is it okay to touch the back of a motherboard

[SomeonesDad]

That's basically my question, just worried a bit about how will i build it tommorow

[WereCatf]

1 minute ago, SomeonesDad said:

Is it okay to touch the back of a motherboard

Yes, it is. Besides which, it would be really hard to build a PC without touching the mobo. Just don't touch anything with anything conductive, when the PC is powered-on.

[Chris Pratt]

It's probably not going to hurt anything if you do, but it's not recommended. As much as possible, try to grab it only from the sides. If you have an air cooler, and attach that before putting the mobo in the case, it makes for a nice hand hold.

[Enderman]

Yeah it's fine, as long as you don't have your hands covered in oil or something else.

[Viper9]

If you're using a air cooler, you can install it outside the case (usually I put the motherboard on the mobo box) and then you can install the mobo in the case by holding the CPU cooler. 

[manikyath]

if you want to make sure, mount your power supply in the case, turn OFF the switch in the back of your power supply, and plug it into a grounded outlet. this way there's still no power, but the entire case is now grounded metal, so whenever you touch the case, it unloads any static you may have built up.

 

in general you should avoid it where possible (also, because the solder pins sticking out cant wait to poke extra ventilation holes in your fingers), but as long as you arent in an environment that is prone to static buildup it should be fine. (prone to static == low humidity, and sources of static like fluffy carpets)

 

or in other words: its fine, but dont go actively seeking for problems. work with care and attention. handling a motherboard by the back is fine, but in general handling by heatsinks and sides is at least almost as easy.

[SupaKomputa]

Yeah, absolutely, make sure it's turned off.