Do I need a ani static band?

[m37]

I salvaged all my build parts, and ordered my power supply, but do I need an anti-static band? I am going to be building it on my bed. I don't know if it will kill my parts tho.

[Dutch_Master]

In general, no. Linus made a video about it, look it up. But depending on humidity and environment (carpet!) you'd be wise to touch a grounded surface before you begin and maybe even repeatedly during the build while handling delicate parts. Grounded surfaces include central heating pipes/radiators, metal door frames, A/C units and large kitchen appliances like fridges/freezers, cookers and generally anything bare metal that's exposed to human touch.

[mariushm]

No it's not necessary.

Plug the power supply into a grounded outlet, even if it's not installed into the case. Once it's plugged into the mains, the exterior of the case becomes grounded so if you touch the metal of the power supply with your fingers, you'll be discharged of static electricity.

So from time to time, after you move around and before grabbing components, touch some metal on the power supply for a couple seconds to ground/discharge yourself.

If you screw the psu to the case, the whole metal of the case becomes grounded, so it's even easier to discharge yourself by touching any unpainted metal bit of the case. But, it's much easier to install the power supply later in the process .. first install cpu, cooler and ram on motherboard, m.2 ssd if you use any, then put motherboard on case (use standoffs only where needed), put io shield if it's not  pre-fixed to motherboard, screw motherboard inside...  and so on..

 

Hold components by the edges or by plastic parts, heatsinks - don't touch exposed pins or chips with your fingers and you'll be fine.

You get charged with static electricity if you're wearing the wrong clothes, if you rub your socks made with some types of fibers on the carpet, if you wear wool or other clothes that cause static electricity to build up, if the air is too dry in your room ...

 

Ideally you should build the computer on a surface that doesn't conduct electricity - a wood desk, some cardboard box, a plastic cover on a desk, glass etc

 

[manikyath]

unless if you live in a dry climate, and insist on building on a wooly carpet with socks.. just touching some grounded metal is fine...

[SorryBella]

37 minutes ago, m37 said:

I am going to be building it on my bed

Anywhere not carpeted, keep yourself barefooted, and do what @mariushmsuggests (although it will always be less effective vs a proper anti static band as painted grounded metal is less conductive compared to actual bare uncoated metal). Doing those would get you most of the way in static control.

[m37]

Thank you so much, i was building my first pc and didnt know what to do lol

[dizmo]

I've never used an antistatic band, and I've never had a component die due to it.

Personally I'd build on the kitchen table though. Bed isn't good for numerous reasons.

 

Welcome to the forum.