Years ago (2002ish, when I used to still read physical magazines) there was discussion of this very topic in the UK's PC Format Magazine; the vast majority of their covers featured a scantily clad female, occasionally holding something computer related (if the doodad was interesting and photogenic). One or two issues a year had a non female covershot - typically a shot of computer hardware instead.
Every time the Editor of PC Format got a bagging in the letters column about the scantily clad females on the cover, he'd get his answer from the mag's circulation manager; the issues with females on the cover sold an extra 10-15% over the issues without hot females. So they said they'd stop using scantily clad females on the cover when it didn't boost circulation.
Oh, and on that topic...
Benny Benassi - 'Satisfaction' (Official Video) - YouTube