Lately I had been having heat issues with my motherboard's chipset. Stupid Leadtek and their passive heatsink crap. For months I had an 80mm fan blowing on it just to keep my system stable. (Without it, chipset would hit 40C and would result in an insta-reboot and keep it going in an infinite loop until I killed power.) Well, I could spend $20 on a decent chipset sink/fan, but I decided to do something a little more interesting. I had some socket7 heatsinks laying around, and I decided to put them to good use. See, my GF4 put out so much ambient heat that it went right to my mobo's chipset. So, I decided to kill two birds with one stone. I not only mounted a socket7 heatsink on the mobo, but on my GF4 as well. Without drilling, or cutting a damned thing.
I think that every single one of my computer components has lain on my bed at one time or another. Maybe I'm more of a reckless rebel than I originally realized.
Seeing as the system is off when I'm not using it....
Seriously though - you need to invest some money in a new duvet cover. That thing on your bed looks like your Mom made it in 1967!
Actually, my mother made that quilt for me while she was still carrying me. Its not getting replaced, sorry.
Have you ever heard of "Static Free Environments"?
Yeah, I live in one. I could rub the carpet all day long and I wouldn't build up a charge large enough to zap anything. See, I most of the year here its very humid. Only during the winter time is static electricity ever an issue. I've never worn an anti-static wrap, or used the anti-static mats. Never needed them. You're just jealous because my job looks better.
the easy way to get around static electricity is to discharge before touching any componets, right, so all you have to do is touch the metal case before you touch the insides, and keep one hand on the case and you should be fine.
Seriously though, why is everyone so damned anal about static? Just ground yourself before touching anything static sensitive. I've never used a static strap in my life and haven't had anything zapped yet. Of course, I dont go running around dragging my feet on the carpet with wool socks while simultaneously rubbing a baloon on my head either. Just use common sense for chrissakes and you'll be fine.
Krom wrote:So do I, the only thing I do is plug the PSU in so the case is grounded.
Is that the accepted advice, to leave the PSU plugged in when working on your PC? I'm only asking because I've often heard warnings to unplug the PSU before opening the case, to avoid any risks of shock. I wouldn't be exactly comfortable rooting around in a sea of electronics, all the time knowing that the whole thing was still plugged in. Does the PSU pose any threat, or is that something that is just told to ignorant Dell owners (like myself, I'm afraid )?
ATX PSUs will still be running the 5v standby power when plugged in. If I really need it off I just flip the switch on the back of the PSU, problem solved. But for stuff like installing a PCI card or installing some more memory in the system, I don't even bother, just turn the PC off and plug the stuff in, ignore standby power.
The PSU doesn't pose any threat unless you stick a screw driver into the vents or something. But doing so even if the system is unplugged still wouldn't be a good idea, the capacitors hold quite a charge.
)?
