Upgrading my ATI x300se 128mb

[brucers]

I still have my original ATI x300se 128mb video card in my Dell 8400 computer. I'm running Windows XP with 4 Gigs ram and 3.2 cpu and am running two 22" monitors. I have a 350 watt power supply. I am not a gamer at all. I watch live streaming sports events, but sometimes the video can get pretty choppy or like slow motion, especially when I try to watch it in fullscreen. I don't have it stretched out onto both screens. If I just watch in the normal sized window than it is a lot better. What would be a good upgrade for me? Thank you, Bruce

 

[Dom_79]

Here's a few that will definitely be better and are reasonably priced:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125431
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121439
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127611
These all recommend a 400W minimum PSU but since you aren't overclocking your CPU or anything and are not doing intense gaming you should be fine. Just look at the sizes of the cards and make sure they will fit in your case without hitting anything (ex: the cpu cooler shroud, a card in one of the PCI slots etc...)
Also remember that the sizes given don't always include width and you might have to "guesstimate"

 

[brucers]

How about an "ATI HP Radeon X1600 XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-E x16 Video Card Dual DVI"? Would that be sufficient? I can get one for $30 shipped.

 

[Dom_79]

You would definitely have less chop but I can't say how much. You need about 1GB video ram for full screen with guaranteed no chop while running a two monitor setup. Also that chipset (X1600 XT) is kind of dated (2006 I believe) so with something newer like I suggested you would be direct x 11 compliant (the sites will be sending in the latest formats).
And I think that card was made specifically for HP/Compaq computers ( hence the HP in the title) and since that's not what you've got, it could be a problem (maybe not).