Noctua launches 90-micrometer carbon nanotube thermal pad

    Austrian cooling equipment manufacturer Noctua has launched its NT-CP1 AM5/4 Carbice thermal pad, designed for AMD’s AM4 and AM5 processors, at retail. Made from carbon nanotubes, the product is presented as a long-lasting alternative to thermal paste. The pad has gone on sale in the US for $24.95 (about 42 manats). In Europe, it costs €24.95 (about 47 manats). Noctua developed the product as part of its partnership with Carbice, announced in June 2026.    Conventional thermal pastes and pads can be squeezed toward the edges, crack and separate from the surface over time. As a result, processor cooling becomes less effective. The new pad uses Carbice’s vertically aligned carbon nanotube technology. This method was originally developed for space systems requiring high heat resistance. The nanotubes gradually conform to irregularities in the processor’s metal heat spreader that are invisible to the naked eye, helping transfer heat more effectively to the cooler.    The initial conforming process may take hundreds or even thousands of heating and cooling cycles. During this period, the pad’s heat transfer gradually improves rather than deteriorates. According to Noctua, once the process is complete, the pad will operate consistently for years without requiring maintenance. The product is intended for users who want to keep their processor’s temperature stable without periodically replacing thermal paste.    Conventional carbon- and graphite-based thermal pads can be brittle and slippery. Their electrical conductivity can also pose a risk. The new product has an aluminum support between its carbon nanotube layers. A very thin polymer coating on the surface reinforces the pad and prevents it from slipping or conducting electricity during installation. To install it, the protective film is first removed, the pad is pressed onto the processor and then the top layer is peeled off.    The pad is just 90 micrometers thick, making it extremely thin. Its precut dimensions are 33 x 33 mm, and it is compatible with both AM4 and AM5 processors. The product is made in the US from recycled aluminum. Waste carbon dioxide is used to produce the nanotubes. Noctua claims that this production method uses less energy than graphite- and graphene-based pads. The aluminum component can also be recycled through conventional methods.