Which system is identifying the 10x engineer? What generates that gap in pay? It sorts of sounds like you are trying to fit reality into a model and not vice versa.
The compensation scheme at companies that employ them.
>What generates that gap in pay?
All companies are different but it's typical a difference in grade or rank.
There is literally zero chance a high performer would get even 3x salary compared to their peers. Those pay ranks simply do not exist.