In which situation would Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) be a concern when installing hardware in a PC?

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is a significant concern when installing hardware in a PC because sensitive components, like a processor, are at risk of damage from static electricity. When handling a processor, even a small static charge can harm the delicate circuitry within the CPU, potentially leading to malfunctions or reduced lifespan of the component.

ESD occurs when there is a sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects, which can easily happen if a technician does not take precautions to ground themselves or the components. Therefore, using antistatic wrist straps, grounding mats, and handling components by their edges are essential practices especially when working with processors.

While other components like a graphics card or a hard drive can also be susceptible to ESD, the processor is often regarded as one of the most sensitive parts within a PC. This heightened sensitivity makes it critical to ensure proper ESD protection specifically during its installation.