I’m guessing thermaltake did the same, hiding some pins behind a sticker because that’s cheaper than creating a whole new version of an existing product.
Also, this reminds me of a common CPU manufacturing practice; most CPUs from a generation are the exact same, except that the ones with flaws in them will have that part of the CPU disabled / severed and the unit sold as a slower and cheaper model.
https://boingboing.net/2023/08/04/hp-printer-usb-port-covere...
A quick google confirms that some HP Printers have USB ports that are covered similarly, but with a warning not to use it, rather than just being hidden.
It's still probably at wattage as advertised, but I wouldn't be surprised if some models that differ by "only" 100W had only difference being current limit resistor set on the different value.
This is not true, as a rule, even if it is true here. Sibling comments point out that the void left by the missing connector would be tricky to fill.
There are a variety of other reasons that it might not be worth their time to change or omit the $.08 connector, but it would be worth their time to remove e.g. the expensive $3 voltage regulator IC.
But to your point, the same logic may be applied to the sticker-vs-PCB tradeoff, and it may turn out that they are identical. Someone disassembling them and comparing the circuits would be able to determine between the two cases.
Edit: fixed a technical issue about current & voltage
Also to your point, a sticker than can fall at any moment shouldn't be relied upon for safety.
