Noctua launches $25 NT-CP1 carbon nanotube thermal pad for AMD AM5 and AM4

Austrian cooling company Noctua is officially rolling its new NT-CP1 AM5/4 Carbice carbon nanotube thermal pad for AMD AM4 and AM5 processors into the retail market, according to Tom's Hardware. BigGo Finance reported the price as $24.95, while Wccftech and VideoCardz.com stated the price is $25. Tbreak UAE noted the product sells for EUR 24.95.

Conventional thermal pastes and most thermal pads gradually lose performance over time due to pump-out, delamination, cracking, and other forms of degradation. However, Tom's Hardware reported that Noctua says its new NT-CP1 thermal pad takes a different approach by utilizing Carbice's vertically-aligned carbon nanotube technology, which was originally developed for high thermal reliability in aerospace systems. The carbon nanotubes gradually conform to microscopic imperfections of a CPU's IHS over hundreds to thousands of thermal cycles.

This design allows heat transfer performance to improve during the initial activation period rather than gradually deteriorating. Tom's Hardware stated that the thermal pad can maintain stable, maintenance-free performance for years once the initial activation phase is complete, making it a suitable option for users who want consistent thermal performance without periodically replacing degraded paste. Noctua CEO Roland Mossig stated in a press note reported by Tom's Hardware: "Carbice pads offer a unique combination of ultimate performance stability and convenient installation. This makes the NT-CP1 the perfect choice for everyone who's looking for a thermal pad that's super easy to apply and never needs to be replaced."

Unlike conventional carbon or graphite-based thermal pads, which can be brittle, slippery, and electrically conductive, the NT-CP1 features an aluminum backbone sandwiched between layers of carbon nanotubes. According to Tom's Hardware, the surface is protected by a nanoscale polymer coating that makes the pad more robust, easier to handle, and less likely to move during installation. The company recommends a simple peel, press, and peel installation process, while the slightly tacky coating helps keep the pad in place and offers electrical insulation as long as the polymer layer remains intact.

The thermal pad features an ultra-thin 90µm profile and a precut 33x33mm size to fit both AM5 and AM4 socket processors. Tom's Hardware reported that Noctua produces the pad in the US using recycled aluminum and waste carbon gas to grow the carbon nanotubes. The company claims its manufacturing process is more energy-efficient than conventional graphite and graphene-based pads, and the aluminum structure allows the product to be recycled through standard aluminum recycling channels.