Yeah its midrange, but the name is confusing, it should have been more like a 9800GS, not 9600GT. Not really a mid range, more of a high midrange card. The 8600GT and 7600GT were much weaker compared to the other cards in their lineups.
You couldint SLI 7600GT's and get 7900GTX performance, but you can SLI 9600GT's and get 8800Ultra performance.
Nvidia screwed up the naming schemes.
And im also gonna say, Nvidia mobos are not that bad. If that were the case people wouldn't have SLI rigs, Intel chipsets may be better in general, but still..i wouldn't mind getting another nforce board.