Powered riser vs non-powered riser?

[Sancho]

Can someone please tell me the difference between the two?

I have one of each and have been running the powered riser without plugging it in.

I don't know if this is good or bad or whether or not there is a huge difference. I appreciate any insight, thanks.

[roslinpl]

Can someone please tell me the difference between the two?

I have one of each and have been running the powered riser without plugging it in.

I don't know if this is good or bad or whether or not there is a huge difference. I appreciate any insight, thanks.

If I understand problem good:
(mind me if I don't)

thread about similar problem:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=268879.0
http://www.reddit.com/r/litecoinmining/comments/1x7vaf/powered_and_non_powered_risers/
http://bitcoinewz.com/news/powered-riser-vs-nonpowered-riser

[prolom]

My current understanding is kind of like the link posted by roslinpl

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=268879.msg2974007#msg2974007

Meaning some motherboards do not supply enough power to the cards' ram. However some other motherboards (especially if designed for mining) actually do supply enough power and powered risers can be even detrimental to the results.

Powered risers do not work for these guys for instance, they are using a mining mb:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfqfEpanpig

In real life just see what gives you better hash rates.

[igroock]

To make it short, I wouldn't use a none powered riser no matter what. I would rather spend an extra $10 and have a piece of mind that a $300+ won't burn out.