Various Newbie Questions - Any help would be appreciated

[savj14]

I am using a hacked VGA Cable, Arcade Monitor, Non ArcadeVGA card, and PowerStrip with my Cab right now. I am also running Windows XP at 640x480 Interlaced.  Just so we are all on the same page.

I used PowerStrip to add some custom resolutions for MAME32 on my video card. Some of the resolutions are a bit off and do not fill the screen. What are the guidelines to adding resolutions. For example I can't seem to add 384x224 or 400x254. Do I need to add a couple digits either way on these resolutions??? Or can I just add any combination of numbers and expect them to be available in MAME. I am using doubled Horizontal values which makes no difference in picture quality. So the closest resolution I have for 384x224 which is selectable in MAME is 768x240 or 768x288. The screen does not fill completely on the Arcade Monitor. Unless I have something setup wrong in MAME.

Also, do Arcade Monitor's omit anything in the air that might cause harm to you??? I had a headache after playing around with the monitor, but that could have been from looking at Windows interlaced. How safe is it to make adjustments to the monitor(Vertical Hold, Horizontal, Adjusting colors) while the Monitor is running??

One more question I promise. Would I be able to tell if I needed a video Amplifier?? The monitor looks decent but I have no idea if it could and should look that much better with an Amp.

I hope someone can help clear some of these things up 

[grantspain]

i don't know about the mame stuff but all monitors have an x ray protection circuit,you have probably got eye strain looking at the picture for too long.
even after 20 years working on arcade machines i have no adverse affects from monitors and i can see perfectly with all three eye's

[savj14]

I guess the main focus I have right now is to get a few different games to fill the screen of my Arcade Monitor using MAME32.

Here is an example of the Street Fighter Series:

Original Resolution = 384x254

Which Resolution Would be best to add with PowerStrip for use with MAME32??

768x256 (Doubled Horizontal)
768x508 (Interlaced) Doubled Horizontal and Vertical
384x288 (Closest ArcadeVGA Resolution) if it can be added.

I I cannot fill the entire screen, can I turn on Hardware Stretch?? How bad will this compromise the Arcade Quality??