what is the best Linux to use for a computer with hardware as below
pentium4 2.0GHz
Ram 512MB ddr
64mb nvidia AGP graphic card

currently using windows XP sp3,and now interested in joining the Linux community and use Linux but as i am new to Linux i don't know which is best with my computer as there are lots of Linux versions which i came across and which linux is best for begineers like me.

try crunchbang, it is deban based but with all drivers.

Any distro will do; you're describing a somewhat older system; no fancy drivers required, should all work out-of-the-box on any recent Linux-distribution. Pick what seems nice to you. Really depends on what you want (user friendly? or bare-metal 'hardcore' linux... )

The distro you choose should have some relation to the reason you are wanting to join the community. FWIW: my intro was compelled by CIO decision to move company off mainframe to LAMP, and we wanted stable enterprise-level server functions (databases and data warehousing) without bells and whistles. We went RedHat Enterprise. We also explored SUSE. Eventually our decision was cemented by best long-term support option.

I know many companies that build appliances go the Debian route (like Iomega).

I have several friends who are hobbyists and graphics designers and they love Ubuntu.

Good luck, and welcome to the community.

If you haven't already, I suggest you download and try a few live CD distros. They should give you some idea whether you have any compatibility issues with your hardware.

You could use one of the Linux distro chooser sites such as:

• http://www.linux-chooser.com/
• http://desktoplinuxathome.com/distro.html
• http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

All of the suggestion thus far have been valid and sound. Here's a couple of other considerations.

1) A Red Hat variant be it the development version called Fedora or the community version called CentOS, uses YUM as their package manager. It is different then for other versions of Linux. Mean while both Ubuntu and Debian use dpkg. The two package systems are not compatible although they both succeed at doing the same job.

2) Since your running a P4 processor I would avoid the Gnome or KDE desktop as they are too heavy. Rather install the xfce desktop. It's a light weight desktop and will preform better on your computer.

I have run many versions of Linux on almost the exact same hardware as what you describe, and can say that contrygrrl_ak has some sound advice. Though I must say that I have had better luck with LXDE than with xfce. But it really comes down to personal preference. Try both and then decide.

Just about any distro should run okay. The advice others have given is excellent.

My personal favorites (and therefore my recommendations) are Slackware and Debian; my preferred window manager is Fluxbox.

Slackware comes with (I think) KDE, XFCE, and several other window managers, including Fluxbox. You can choose your default at time of installation and change it later if you wish.

For a responsive system on a 512MB machine you need the Xfce or LXDE interfaces. For Xfce, try Salix or Mint; don't get Xubuntu. LXDE is not always very easy to configure; WattOS is the best in that respect. Slackware is too difficult for a beginner (Salix is actually Slackware made easier).

Don't forget that you can get a live CD and try before you install. Read the installation instructions on the distro's website before installing, so you know what to expect. Salix has a pdf user's guide you can get. There's a guide on this site to software equivalents in Linux to common Windows programs, if there's something you feel is missing. Some things will be done differently, but you'll soon get used to them. Just experiment: it's not a James Bond film, so the computer won't explode if you make a mistake! Just remember to always backup files before making experimental changes.

+1 for Salix and Mint

I just installed Salix a couple of days ago and I must say I'm very impressed. It's been up and running without any issues. If I can get my Brother AIO working with it, then it will be one of my two main OSes, the other being Mageia Linux.

By the way, you will need the nvidia driver if you want acellerated 3D, but I doubt it will make tons of difference on a card that old...

my intuition, based on some short experiences, tells me P4 is strong enough cpu for nicely functional and plain GUI.

however, 512mb is skimpy for running numerous windows or tabs.

is your 64mb nvidia at least a "better" geforce 4?
MX440 or better?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeForce_4_Series#Lineup
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeForce_4_Series#Lineup_2

I'm guesstimating that less than a gf4 is a limitation, because my ti 200 (64mb iirc) seemed just slightly sluggish manipulating windows in ubuntu 9. No sluggishness running the apps, such as smaller videos, or small k-3d modelling experiments. (Duron 800, 640mb)

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

Your system hardware is usable. I suggest to increase the RAM if possible.
No one provided links for LiveCD so you can look at 'Get Your ISO, LiveCD & Pocket OS' section within you will find several useful links. One of which is 'The LiveCD List which is very good list to choose from. That way you can test drive a Gnu/Linux.

The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

You are welcome, try lubuntu.