Arctic TP-1
- Form:
- Pad
- Electrical Conductivity:
- Non-Conductive
- Recommended Use:
- Mainstream CPU/GPU
- Package Size:
- 120x20mm / 100x100mm
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Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Manufacturer: Arctic Last updated: 2026-09-15
Where to buy
- Arctic StoreGo to store
- AmazonGo to store
Arctic TP-1 (APT2012) (Thermal Pad/Non-Conductive/Ultra-Soft Entry-Level Gap Filler) Review
Arctic TP-1 (APT2012) thermal pad specs and review - Arctic's cheapest thermal pad, sold under the model code APT2012.
This is Arctic's entry-level pad, not a paste. It's a soft, non-conductive silicone-family sheet you cut to size for RAM heatsinks, chipsets and single-board computers rather than a CPU/GPU die. At 20 Shore OO it's the softest pad in Arctic's lineup, so it compresses easily to fill gaps, but that same softness means it's not built for high-wattage dies - step up to the TP-4 for that. Arctic doesn't publish a W/mK number for any of its pads, by design (their own FAQ explains why), so don't expect a headline thermal conductivity spec here.
Thermal Performance
Arctic doesn't publish thermal conductivity figures for its pad lineup - a stated company policy, not a missing data point. What we do know: the TP-1 is the softest and thinnest-duty pad in the family at 20 Shore OO hardness, so it's built to gap-fill low-power components, not to compete with high-conductivity CPU/GPU pastes.
Application
Sold as pre-cut 120x20mm or 100x100mm sheets in 0.5mm, 1mm and 1.5mm thicknesses, four to a pack. Cut to size with scissors for RAM sticks, VRMs, chipsets and single-board computer heatsinks.
Safety
No metal particles means no electrical conductivity or capacitance risk - you can lay this across exposed traces without worrying about shorts, which is exactly why it's popular for Raspberry Pi and SBC builds.
Specifications
Application
| Applicator Included | None |
|---|
Quantity, volume versus weight
| Density | 2.3 g/cm3 |
|---|
| Electrical Conductivity | Insulating |
|---|---|
| Package Size | 120x20mm or 100x100mm sheets, 0.5mm/1mm/1.5mm thickness, sold in 4-pad packs |
| Recommended Use | Mainstream CPU/GPU (RAM heatsinks, chipsets, single-board computers) |
| Safety Notes | Non-adhesive, electrically insulating, no metal particles, not capacitive - safe even in contact with electrical components |
| Consistency | 20 Shore OO hardness - very soft, conforms easily to uneven surfaces |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to 150C continuous use |
| Paste Segment | Pad |
| Min Operating Temp | -40 C |
| Max Operating Temp | 150 C |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- RAM heatsinks and VRM gap-filling
- Raspberry Pi and single-board computer builds
- Budget chipset cooling
Not for
- High-wattage CPU or GPU direct cooling - too soft/thin for that duty
- Buyers who want a published W/mK thermal conductivity number
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Arctic TP-1 (APT2012) (Thermal Pad/Non-Conductive/Ultra-Soft Entry-Level Gap Filler)?
The Arctic TP-1 (APT2012) (Thermal Pad/Non-Conductive/Ultra-Soft Entry-Level Gap Filler) is a thermal paste from Arctic. Key specs: Form Pad, Electrical Conductivity Non-Conductive, Recommended Use Mainstream CPU/GPU (RAM heatsinks, chipsets, single-board computers), Package Size 120x20mm or 100x100mm sheets, 0.5mm/1mm/1.5mm thickness, sold in 4-pad packs, Consistency 20 Shore OO hardness - very soft, conforms easily to uneven surfaces.
Who is the Arctic TP-1 (APT2012) (Thermal Pad/Non-Conductive/Ultra-Soft Entry-Level Gap Filler) best suited to?
It suits ram heatsinks and vrm gap-filling, raspberry pi and single-board computer builds, budget chipset cooling.
What are the drawbacks of the Arctic TP-1 (APT2012) (Thermal Pad/Non-Conductive/Ultra-Soft Entry-Level Gap Filler)?
It is a poor fit for high-wattage cpu or gpu direct cooling - too soft/thin for that duty, buyers who want a published w/mk thermal conductivity number.
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