Noctua announced a partnership with Carbice to launch a carbon-nanotube thermal pad as an alternative to traditional thermal paste during Computex 2026.

This shift represents a move toward reusable thermal interface materials, reducing the need for users to apply and clean consumable pastes during hardware upgrades or maintenance.

The announcement took place at the Computex trade show in Taipei, Taiwan [1]. The new product, designated as the NT-CP1, is specifically designed for AMD AM5 and AM4 Ryzen CPUs [2]. By utilizing carbon-nanotube technology, the partnership aims to provide a high-performance cooling solution that does not degrade like conventional pastes [3].

Noctua has established two retail partnerships to bring these carbon-nanotube pads to the consumer market [4]. While the product was showcased this week, the company said standalone pads will be distributed starting in September 2026 [4].

The NT-CP1 is positioned as a replacement for the messy application process associated with standard thermal compounds. Because the pads are reusable, they simplify the process of swapping processors or coolers, a task that typically requires isopropyl alcohol and careful scrubbing to remove old paste.

The collaboration brings together Noctua's established presence in the cooling market and Carbice's specialized material science. This integration allows the carbon-nanotube technology to reach a wider audience through established retail channels [4].

“Noctua announced a partnership with Carbice to launch a carbon-nanotube thermal pad.”

The transition from consumable thermal pastes to reusable carbon-nanotube pads could lower the barrier for PC enthusiasts to upgrade their hardware. By eliminating the need for chemical cleaners and the risk of improper paste application, the NT-CP1 standardizes the thermal interface process, potentially increasing the longevity and maintainability of high-performance AMD systems.