RAM is harder to break than you'd think.

The risk is low if you handle it correctly, but static discharge and improper alignment are the real dangers. Most people never damage their RAM sticks.

First, ground yourself. Touch an unpainted metal part of the case before you pull the RAM out of its anti-static bag. You don’t need a wrist strap — just don’t shuffle across the carpet and then grab the gold pins. Hold the stick by the edges, not the contacts or the chips.

Second, line up the notch. DDR4 and DDR5 are keyed differently, so it only fits one way. If you have to force it, you’re doing it wrong. Once aligned, press evenly on both ends until the clips snap shut. It takes more pressure than you expect, but that’s normal.

The real risk is bending pins on the motherboard socket — totally preventable if you don’t rush. Modern RAM is actually pretty tough. I’ve yanked sticks out of old PCs and they still work fine.

Just take your time and it’s hard to mess up.