Testing components prior to filling the case - safety?

[antispam246]

I want to test several components, including motherboard before actually installing them into the case. What kind of precautions should I take and what is theb est way to tackle it? Stuffl ike static precautions etc..?

I'm looking to test, motherboard, cpu, psu, ram, hdd/sdd and optical drive. There's onboard graphics, so I'm using that to visually test other parts.

[Agent]

Assemble it on the mobo box.

As for static considerations: Plug in your PSU and hook it into the mobo. Every time you touch a grounded point you'll have been earthed. While it's nice to be aware of static when building PCs, don't over think it. You're not sending a rover to Mars.

[antispam246]

Thanks, I know what you mean. It's more from being overly cautious with a new build and parts, last thing I want is anything to go wrong, or boom, as unlikely as it may be. Good call on building it on the case versus reaching over and touching it every 2 seconds.

With a retail i5 3750k cpu, the stock thermal paste/gel will be enough? I'm not going to OC anytime soon and I'm getting mixed answers to this elsewhere. I believe it's 3 long striped as standard on the cpu versus manually placeing a centred blob as recommended in most places.

[kalniel]

With a retail i5 3750k cpu, the stock thermal paste/gel will be enough?

Definitely.

[Biscuit]

I tend to use the anti-static bag that comes with the kit to rest the components on while im building and testing. With regards to heat paste, i havent used anything fancy for years now. The most difference you will get from A++++ super brand compared to basic stuff you get with a cooler or the chip is a couple of degrees. Its only hard core overclockers trying to get the very most out of their stuff that need spend the cash.

[Agent]

I tend to use the anti-static bag that comes with the kit to rest the components on while im building and testing.

The bag itself is actually conductive where the black 'lines' are. It's effectively a Faraday cage, which is what helps protect it.

It's probably not going to cause components any harm in all honesty, but a few parts of the mobo touching them might cause weird signalling problems. I'd just use the box personally

[Zak33]

just be aware, if using the mobo on a box, that a big graphics card has no bracket to support it at the top edge.. and if you catch it and pull it sideways by accident.. it can ruin the PCI express slot and possibly the board.

and that, is a lesson from experience... althought it was an AGP slot.. same result.

buggered board

[Biscuit]

The bag itself is actually conductive where the black 'lines' are. It's effectively a Faraday cage, which is what helps protect it.

It's probably not going to cause components any harm in all honesty, but a few parts of the mobo touching them might cause weird signalling problems. I'd just use the box personally

Makes sense. Wont be doing that anymore!

[antispam246]

Ok so to clarify resting the board naked on the case is fine, no need for bag. I won't be testing a GPU until its all in the case so no worries there but yeh something to watch out for.

[Biscuit]

the box that the motherboard or case came in, not the case itself. Im guessing the case is steel or aluminium and putting the motherboard flat on that without any insulation (such as cardboard) could short out any pins and cause problems.

[antispam246]

Yup sorry, dunno why I kept saying case when I clearly meant box. Just undertaking this as we speak, cheers peeps.

[dokdek]

I personally just use the box, you wont harm anything.