I feel like we need to test at the wall instead of using software.
I run a VEGA FE using only the dual 6-pin motherboard connectors.
Actually, I did some research before buying the card. I know Vega 64 (300W) and Frontier (300W) would go beyond the Watt capacity the Mac Pro 2010 can provide. So when using 64 and Frontier they need to do a mod is understandable.
Each PCIe AUX-A = 75W + PCIe AUX-B = 75W + PCI slot = 75W. Total max load it can provide is =
225W where AUX-A and B can provide
75W max is a theoretical technical specification. In my real case. Each AUX port can actually support up to 8A. Which is actually
98W each.
Therefore, in a practical world (tested from my case by LuxMark Stress Test). The Mac Pro 2010 can provide up to 100W + 100W + 75W = Total
275W max for the graphic card. This is really the ceiling that it can handle.
My objective is I don't want to do a power-mod to my Mac but demands a similar performance from Vega 64. So I got a Vega 56 which its rating is 180W max on AMD website (your 210W doesn't matter). In my case, it is
201W max when using a stress test software. Practical application on FCPX on max load is actually just
122W (It won't go higher anymore in ANY cases that I have tried. It just won't draw more power for the card. 122W that is.). It's far less than the theoretical ceiling at
225W and practical ceiling at
275W max. So it is pretty safe now. And when comparing to the OpenCL/Metal scores. The Vega 56 and 64 are very close. So, I've achieved my objective now (no need to do a mod but it comes with a pretty close to a Vega 64 performance). The Vega 56 is the best pick for an unmodified Mac Pro. Win-win.