Author here if you have questions about some obscure circuitry in the 386.
symaxian · 20m ago
Are the techniques described in the article still in use today or have they been superseded?
kens · 5m ago
My understanding is that modern techniques are similar, but the tradeoffs have changed as chip voltages become lower and transistors become smaller. (Admittedly, I don't know a lot about modern techniques.)
“Intel recommends an anti-static mat and a grounding wrist strap when installing a processor to avoid the danger of static electricity, also known as Electrostatic Discharge or ESD.1”
You know back when I built my computers, not once did I ever use any kind of static electricity discharge “system”. No wrist strap, no mat, no anything. And I don’t know anybody who did.
Has anybody ever actually destroyed a chip with static electricity?
(Of course it could be the climate I lived in as well)
the-grump · 6m ago
You will fry something if you don't use anti static measures and worn on enough boards.
Moisture, clothing, habits play a role so it's highly variable.
forgetfreeman · 1m ago
Yeah I'm pretty sure I've seen processors and memory both get eaten by ESD. Of course its impossible to prove but techs that didn't use protection had higher RMA rates on components so it gots to a point where the conclusion drew itself.
This article, from a company that designs ESD circuits, describes various modern techniques: https://monthly-pulse.com/2022/03/29/introduction-esd-protec...
You know back when I built my computers, not once did I ever use any kind of static electricity discharge “system”. No wrist strap, no mat, no anything. And I don’t know anybody who did.
Has anybody ever actually destroyed a chip with static electricity?
(Of course it could be the climate I lived in as well)
Moisture, clothing, habits play a role so it's highly variable.