I'm having a weird issue where my motherboard is electrocuting me. Is it normal for a DDR4 motherboard to discharge electricity when the only components connected are the power supply unit (PSU) and a CMOS battery? Just to clarify, there are no RAM, GPU, CPU, case, fan, or storage devices attached—only the CMOS battery and the PSU are plugged in.
4 Answers
It sounds like you might be experiencing static discharge, which isn't typical but can happen. Just be cautious to not have any components fry from it. It's good practice to ground yourself before touching any parts.
Man, that really sucks! But honestly, it's probably just a static shock rather than anything serious. I tend to avoid wearing socks or standing on carpet when working on my PC. Last few builds I went full comfy in pj's and socks on carpet, so I guess I'm the idiot in this case too! I always make sure to touch my case before handling components to avoid shocks.
Make sure to unplug your PSU from the wall and hold down the power button for about 30 seconds. This should help discharge any leftover capacitance in the board.
Just keep in mind the motherboard isn't in a case and is exposed, so be careful!
Why not try putting something weird like your balls on it? Just kidding! But really, static can be a trickster, so just be extra cautious.
Exactly! It's not too common, but definitely something to be careful about.