A hardware update:

[isprins]

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SL9UM

CPU cooler:
Zerotherm BTF90
http://www.zerotherm.net/eng/product/BTF90.asp

RAM:
Corsair XMS2 Dominator DDR2-1066 2 GB (2x1 GB)
Brand CORSAIR
Series Dominator
Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5D
Type 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM

Capacity 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Speed DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Cas Latency 5
Timing 5-5-5-15
Voltage 2.1V
Heat Spreader Yes
Features DHX (Dual-path Heat Xchange), EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles), SLI certified

Motherboard:
MSI P35 Neo2-FR
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p...o2-FR&class=mb

screencard:
Gainward GeForce 9600 GT Bliss GS
http://www.gainward.com/product/prod...roducts_id=153

Hardrive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500 GB S-ATA
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=301

So, is that compatible with kubuntu?

[dibl]

Re: A hardware update:

Yep -- nice rig!

There are some issues with the new Nvidia cards like your 9600 (and my 8800), regarding running the proprietary driver in KDE 4.1:

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=115916

http://techbase.kde.org/User:Lemma/KDE4-NVIDIA

However, I got it running here and I don't see what they're whining about.

I can't guarantee that MSI motherboard and BIOS from experience -- search for it on Ubuntu Forum and see if there are any reports of problems. Every monitoring feature that is available with a Windows driver for your motherboard (zone temperatures, fan rpms, memory voltage status, etc.) won't necessarily be supported with lm-sensors -- fair warning. Probably CPU core temps will, and hddtemp will show your hard drive temp if you're interested.

I would run memtest86 on it for at least 4 hours, just to put your mind at rest. It's funny what you worry about when something hinky happens later .....