[pHaestus]

From an experimental standpoint, the durability issue of the CPU+IHS is too huge to get around. That is why I'm focusing on it first. If the CPU is ripping out of the socket and breaking then I'd have to constantly recalibrate/replace CPUs. That's a dealbreaker. My thought is that if you have the tc in the IHS that you can then just check the quality of the IHS/CPU joint and shoot for a constant dT there. If you have it then your mounting force/mounting geometry is "ok" and you can go forward with the test. A simple crosscheck, or no?

The other huge problem with using a CPU in a lab would be the power estimation. I have no good homebrew solution for that one other than insulation and calculation based on dT of water across the wb plus flow rate.