MAINGEAR Epic T1000 represents a whole new approach to high-performance CPU cooling. Epic T1000 is a precision Engineered Thermal Interface (ETI) that keeps CPUs a stunning 2-4C cooler than the highest performance greases or metallic thermal interface materials (TIMs) available today.
Its innovative and patent-pending structure deploys a highly conductive Phase Change Metal Alloy (PCMA) into all the surface micro-asperities on the CPU lid and heat sink, resulting in the lowest resistance heat path. Unlike messy greases and liquid metal interface products, Epic T1000 is a self-contained and sealed structure, automatically deploying the correct amount of PCMA every time.

Based upon technology for high heat flux electronics, Epic T1000 sets the new standard for thermal interface performance within the PC enthusiast community. No mere TIM can compete with EPIC T1000's performance.

• Lowest overall thermal resistance of any TIM available today
• No cure time
• Most consistent performance - automatically applies the correct amount of alloy
• Fully compatible with all surfaces, including copper and aluminum
• Fully sealed structure - no mess or migration
• Easy clean-up – just peel to remove
• Laser-cut precision

What is MAINGEAR Epic T1000
MAINGEAR Epic T1000 is an Engineered Thermal Interface (ETI) that fits neatly between a CPU lid and heat sink (or waterblock) to keep CPUs cooler. Unlike greases, metallic thermal interface pads or liquid metal alloys, MAINGEAR Epic T1000 is a self-contained and sealed structure, deploying a Phase Change Metallic Alloy (PCMA) which reflows and fills surface asperities on the CPU lid and heat sink. The resultant interfacial layer is void-free and robust, with low thermal contact and bulk resistance.
How MAINGEAR Epic T1000 Works
The overall thermal performance of a thermal interface is the sum of the bulk thermal resistance (which is the inverse of bulk thermal conductance) of the material and its two surface contact resistances (on both the CPU lid and heat sink). Greases have good surface wetting properties and therefore they exhibit low contact resistance; however, they have high bulk thermal resistances. Metallic pads possess low bulk thermal resistances, but surface oxidation limits their surface wetting ability, resulting in higher contact resistance.
MAINGEAR Epic T1000 achieves high thermal performance through the optimized deployment of molten, oxide-free PCMA, thereby yielding low contact resistance and low bulk resistance.
At the heart of the one-of-a-kind MAINGEAR Epic T1000 ETI is a proven PCMA deployment structure. When heated (see Installation Guide), the sealed deployment structure directs flowing PCMA into CPU lid and heat sink micro-surface asperities while flushing out entrapped air. The asperity filling PCMA creates a corrosion-resistant hermetic (airtight) seal between the lid and heat sink, resulting in long-term reliability.
How to Use Epic T1000™
The MAINGEAR Epic T1000 ETI is offered as part of an Engineered Thermal Interface Kit. This kit includes several cleanroom-grade surface cleaning products to ensure the highest quality deployment possible. Once the CPU lid and heat sink surfaces have been prepared, the ETI is aligned to the lid and held in place with its own adhesive layer. Following the bolting of the heat sink to the motherboard, the ETI may be reflowed by simply running the CPU under load as seen in the Instruction Guide

Material:	Gallium-free phase change metal alloy
Bulk Thermal Conductivity:	>20 W/mK
Thermal Impedance:	0.04°C-cm2/W

08-04-2010
Reviewer: peateargryphon (2)
I am using this ETI on two separate 1366 PCs. One is an i7 920 @ 4GHz w/ a Noctua NH D14 push/pull setup and the other is a Xeon Westmere-ES 6-Core @ 4.2GHz w/ an H50 and TK122-MS pull. This makes about a 3-5C difference idle on both systems and closer to 7-10C difference on full load. It is impressive and I will never go bad to TIM after using these. I was using old-school Artic Silver compound, previously.

04-22-2010
Reviewer: Porpoise Hork (2)
I was skeptical at first when i read the reviews about Indigo Xtreme. Then I read the reflow proccess i was even more leary about it. but after several friends reported significant temp reductions on both air and water coolers i gave it a try. Installation of this TIM is unlike any other on the market and the reflow proccess in an i7 makes you want to cringe when the temps top out at 90c but its only for a few seconds then the temps drop rapidly and stablilize. After the reflow my idle temps with an H50 cooler on a Lapped 920 C0 @ 3.8GHz in a 72f room were 23c a full 4c less than before. Load temps on linx topped out at 62c when before it would hit 70c. Thats an 8c drop in the main core temp! Just know that this TIM is NOT (even states it in the instructions) designed for cooler like the stock intel cooler, or direct touch heat pipe units. if you plan to upgrade to this TIM make sure you are getting a high quality heatsink or you will get zero benefit from this product.

04-01-2010
Reviewer: LeafFall (1)
I have used both of the applications that came with my purchase. The first one did not seem to cool my cpu anymore than the TIM that was applied to the factory heatsink from Intel. Mind you that when I applied this I had also received an aftermarket HS. Anyhow, I removed it to find out if it worked correctly. It worked like it was supposed to during the reflow process. I reapplied, and I have the same question. Does this really work any better? The temp for my CPU still appears to be the same as if I had the TIM that Intel applied to the factory HS. I am adding some new fans to my case soon. However, from everything I read about this stuff, it would seem that it should drop the temp a few degrees more than what Intel''s factory HS does.

Skinneelabs.com September 1st, 2009