How to Build Your Own PC - Save A Buck And Learn A Lot  9  Chapter 1: Purchasing Components

Upgrade Considerations 1 Detecting and Returning Faulty Parts

Static electricity (also called ESD, electrostatic discharge) is very harmful to mainboards and other sensitive computer parts. And, the shock from an electrostatic spark might wound a component. The component might seem to work initially, but as the system heats up, or maybe in a few weeks or even months, the component seems flaky or unreliable.

This might not mean that the component model is bad or that this brand is bad. It might mean that this particular part was mishandled by some other builder who unintentionally zapped the part. This is one reason I wouldn’t purchase a mainboard that’s on display and which other people are touching!

If your mainboard shows any signs of not being new (and you purchased it as new), don’t hesitate to return it. For example, damaged pins or anything of that sort might indicate an inexperienced builder attempted to build a PC, wasn’t happy, and returned the part. Missing parts or a missing manual is also a tip off that the board may have been sold before.

If the part has been wounded by ESD, you don’t want to be the one who gets it! Also, I would avoid purchasing used mainboards and used RAM. A used PC is better because there’s less chance it’s been opened and the mainboard harmed by ESD. But, how do you know that a used mainboard or RAM hasn’t already been critically wounded by ESD? You don’t!

Upgrade Considerations 1 Detecting and Returning Faulty Parts