Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Potentially harmful discharge of static electricity. Often referred to as "shocking" a component, even a small amount of ESD can severely damage or destroy computer components, precautions such as a static strap is recommended when working with ESD-sensitive devices such as Memory / Motherboards / Graphic Cards etc. ESD can occur when working in your computer and will cause components you touch to no longer work properly "fry them" . ESD can occur without the user feeling a shock and can occur while working on the inside of the computer or handling components on the Motherboard or the Motherboard its self.
Purchasing a static strap is a cheep price to pay when you consider the price of new Graphics Card, a static strap will cost about £5 - £8 = $9 - $15 and can be purchased in most Computer stores or on line, other ESD products are a static mat to place the Computer / component to be worked on on top of, static gloves.

Some people will say you don't need to earth your self ? well thats up to them but you run the risk of damaging your own components and is not good practise, touching a radiator may work but static has a habit of regenerating itself, the environment and conditions should also be taken in to consideration humidity and temperature can effect the amount of static present.

A standard static strap, click to enlarge



A static mat, click to enlarge



Anti static gloves, click to enlarge