I have a question,
I am a newbie and ive kinda fell in love with kubuntu without even using it. I just love the way it looks. O well my questions are as follows. Which is definatly more stable Kubuntu or ubuntu? 2. Which are better for kubuntu ati or nvidia? And also would it install nicely on a dell with dual core amd athlon with a gig of ram and a nvidia or ati card and 17 inch analog moniter flat panel. Thanks and appreciate it

Nvidia all the way.
Better stick with kubuntu or you'll have to change your screen name

I would expect the stability of Kubuntu and Ubuntu to be similar. If you like these, look also at Mepis (KDE like Kubuntu, and has the root user set up "normally")

I've used all three--on two different machines. No problems with ATI---never used Nvidia

ATI has and always had terrible drivers that don't install half of the time.In the latest releases they even dropped support for older cards (like the 9000 - 9200 series).
It took them forever to come up with drivers for 64 bit when nvidia was ready to go from day1.
In short you'll never know what ATI throws at you the next time around.When they stop supporting your card you can kiss upgrading kernels goodbye,too because the old drivers don't work with new kernels.

Tried to get an ATI card going reliably on a box I bought used and there was no way in hell.
I did install a couple of nvidia cards and never had any issue at all with them.

I have to agree with nVidia having much better drivers compared to AMD.
About Ubuntu/Kubuntu, it's the same engine and chassis with a different body. I prefer Ubuntu because I think Gnome looks better but it's pure personal choice. About Mepis... I've tried it but don't like it.
On your system, it'll fly, performance wise. Just download the latest Kubuntu live cd and try it out

Nvidia is my first choice. Kubuntu and Ubuntu are both stable and have much in common. The difference lie in the Desktops and the basic components. KDE vs Gnome is a personal decision and you won't go wrong with either. I was a KDE user for years but changed to Ubuntu Gnome six months ago. I start new users with Ubuntu because it's simpler to use and in my opinion more intuitive for the things you do most often. Enjoy whatever your choice.

Speaking as a nubi myself, I think Kubuntu 6.10 is perfect to start out with. My favorite distro is Suse 10.2 but the updates keep screwing up my system. Kubuntu and Ubuntu don't have this problem.
Witch ever you choose, Kubuntu or Ubuntu, check out this link and play around with it.
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/index

Also:
During the install, besure to install a "/home" partition along with your "/" (root) partition.
That way you can always do a reinstall and all of your stuff will be saved.
Just be sure that you do not reformat /home during the reinstall.

As a noob myself, I've screwed up everything that can be screwed up, and that /home partition has alwayz saved my @$$.

HAVE FUN!!

Btw, I forgot to mention:
After the Kununtu install, you can add Gnome to it and have both.
Just select witch one you want to use before you log in.
this link has all the how to's.

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/index