I tested latest from sp_ factory with 8-pin 970 and I can confirm that there is no memory controller load anymore with lbry. That alone opens new possibilities for future development.

Bad news is that 8-pin card is so tdp limited that my tests were worth nothing.

Opensource with core@1500 and -i 25 does about 163MH, crashes with -i 26 or core@1520-1530. Hits tdpwall too.

sp_mod overclocks like beast, 1600 and way beyond but that doesn't help when power is limiting factor.

Conclusion: You need to have 8+6pin card or mod your bios. Waiting for dual miner.