So powered extenders are:
a) unnecessary for 7xxx cards
b) unnecessary if adequate power supplies that have double-spring plugs are utilized
c) unnecessary for non-scrypt mining
I concede that there are applications that can warrant powered extenders, but stand by the "waste of time/money" designation. There is a clear profit motive for the product to be promoted the way it has been, which seems to be based on misinformation.
a) unnecessary for 7xxx cards
b) unnecessary if adequate power supplies that have double-spring plugs are utilized
c) unnecessary for non-scrypt mining
I concede that there are applications that can warrant powered extenders, but stand by the "waste of time/money" designation. There is a clear profit motive for the product to be promoted the way it has been, which seems to be based on misinformation.
a) No, I only stated I tested the 7970. In fact lewlzminer above claims 3 Amp per 7950. So it seems my model of 7970 (a reference model) is not representative of the whole 7xxx series.
b) Yes. However I also suspect you need good quality mini-fit jr male terminals (on the motherboard's 24-pin connector) to benefit from the low electrical resistance of double-spring mini-fit jr female terminals (on the psu's 24-pin connector).
c) No. Again, many Bitcoin miners certainly do need powered extenders. I needed them even with my 4x5970 and 3x6990 running with downclocked memory (everything else at stock settings).
As to the profit motive of vendors: I don't know. I am not associated with any of them. I certainly did not start a conspiracy theory to entice users to buy powered extenders
