Pretty sure you need an active DP to DL-DVI adapter to get the full 120Hz signaling, the passive adapters are only single-link which limits you to roughly 1920x1200 @60Hz
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812400320&cm_re=active_dual_link_displayport-_-12-400-320-_-Product
 
Another option would be to contact EVGA and see if they can work with you or try and find a card with the non-reference display outputs.  There are some cards out there with the legacy 2 DL-DVI, DP, HDMI like EVGA's Classified.  I think some of the other vendors have a few models like this too.  Almost all 970s are this old output layout.
 
Last option would be to upgrade your monitors to DP, but I know this is probably the least appealing if you have perfectly good monitors that take DVI.

dubiousd
ok that makes sense since I figure the new (and apparently useless) adapter is the problem.  Thanks for the info chizow, I'll look into grabbing one and post back. Thanks.

Cool hope that turns out to be the problem, although like I said you may want to look into exchanging maybe for a Classified 980.  I would rather spend $100 toward more graphics card than toward an adapter but up to you.  There is also a Gigabyte model that has 2x DVI outputs too.

dubiousd
You mean the step up program EVGA has? I'll look into it.  I'm assuming I can run a SC card with a classified?

Classified is probably not available for Step-Up, you would probably have to contact EVGA and explain your situation and see if you can exchange and pay the difference, or do the same with the retailer you brought it from.