17" is good enough for a monitor I'd say... I'd probably hate a big screen like 32" and then it's still unsure if I'd actually have the room for it.
Anyways Garman, if you can't get a new computer, then you'll have to do without fraps and alike for now, as your computer is really too old for stuff like that... I haven't seen you on msn yet regarding the Direct3D issue, but it could well be dx doesn't work properly as your computer is just way too old.