Hi Mike,
 
I would suggest that there are 3 areas that are 'tweakable', and it falls to not only the game, but your setup too.
 
 
1-Settings for the game itself
2- XP tweaking
3-graphics tweaking
 
For number 1, this would mainly involve setting graphics levels to low and see if it runs ok. If it does, set some areas to medium, and retest. Keep going hgher until the game play suffers.
 
For number 2, check Black Viper's site here regarding XP services and tweaks, plus APK's pages:-
 
http://www.ntcompatible.com/article1.shtml
http://www.superspeed.com/aptipandhin.html#t6
http://www.avatar.demon.nl/cenatek.html
http://www.avatar.demon.nl/APKTuneup.html
http://www.avatar.demon.nl/APK.html
http://www.pixelstation.com/APKWeb/index.html
 
You can also install the intel application accelerator
 
Also do the usual cleanup of programs sitting in the system tray next to the clock, a defrag, spyware scan etc.
 
Then for number 3, get the latest drivers for your graphics here.
 
 
I feel that I should point out that Intel's integrated graphics arent exactly beefy when you compare them to a stand alone card from someone like ATI or nVidia.
 
If you have tweaked your system and the set the graphic levels to low, and the game still runs slow then the bottleneck is gonna be those integrated graphics.
 
There are serveral posts in various forums that are full of users saying that they got a budget ati/nvidia card and the games is a lot more playable.
 
 
 
 

Thanks alot for your ideas! I found a different graphics card. I have not tried number 1 2 3 yet but I will try it. Is this graphics card compatible for Sims 2 or not? The website I found this card is:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.g...3A113963%3A4467
 
 

Besides, how do I replace the Intel Extreme Graphics card with a different card? Do I just insert the GEforce card (when I get one...) to a PCI slot or do I have to undo screws inside the PC to do this?

Hey thats ok
 
Now your question appears to be quite simple but im not 100% on the answer.
 
 
Reason is that the link you gave is to a PCI card and not an AGP one.
 
Now Id hope that you have an AGP slot in your motherboard!! But only you can tell us that.
 
Have a look at this thread, and see if you have a slot for AGP.
 
If you find a slot that looks like the one in that thread (i.e. in the middle, towards the back but its position is different from the other slots) then hopefully, in tiny print, it will say AGP.
 
I am 95% sure that your board should have one since the Intel 845G chipset is fairly new. However Im also guessing that your Pc is somethng like a Dell. HP, etc. This makes things slightly more tricky as you never quite know what they get up to in the inner workings post here the make model, so we can double check.
 
Lets assume u have an AGP slot. Your chipset supports up to 4x AGP. Some manufacturers like SiS use the same chipset as yours but manage to get 8x. I think this is to do with having a slightly different chipset, allbeit based on the 845. Theres a whole host of variations, hence adding to the confusion!!
 
Also I understand that 8x agp cards are backward compatible with 4x...and its only voltage difference that can cause a problem. However, just make sure u can return a new card on the off chance it doesnt work.
 
I took your budget to b around $100 US.
For that amount you can get something like:
 
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=303437&pfp=BROWSE
 
or
 
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=302575&pfp=BROWSE
 
Of course you are going to get more bang for your buck.
 
The cards above should be fine (although im no sims expert!). Just ensure u can take a card back if the desired results arent seen.
 
 

ok to replace your integrated graphics:
 
Make sure you are on a wooden table, or kitchen sideboard etc... avoid static! Also get a static wrist strap if u can as its possible to break cards just by touching them in the wrong place.
 
Unplug (!)
 
Take the cover off your pc
 
Unscrew/take out the right blanking panel (hopefully this will be the agp one! but if not, the pci one).
 
Fit your new card in, and dont be frightened to give it quite a hard push, until it is seated correctly.
 
Screw the top of the card to the case so it doesnt wobble about.
 
Dont put the cover back on just yet
 
Turn on the PC, and watch it boot up. It should be this simple as: "Onboard video is automatically disabled when an AGP video card is installed". That was on the intel site. Dont know if it will happen this way, lets keep our fingers crossed
 
Put the cover on.
 
 
Now it really should be very simple. If the integrated graphics still work, then go into the BIOS and disable them manually. i assume there is an option to disable them. Hopefully u wont have to do that.
 
Windows will appear and say its found a new card. Close the wizard that it may bring up. Go on the manufacturers website for the new card and download the latest drivers and install them. Reboot.
 
Job done

This should help:
 
http://www.pctechguide.com/tutorials/GraphicsCard_Remove.htm
 
It has pictures and stuff

Nothing to do with this thread and I'm sorry.
 
Hey Mike, what is your PC? Is it an Emachines 210?

waffler! Glad u r here; seems you are in the same sort of situation with getting a new card??
 
 
I did ask what the model/make was too

Originally posted by Waffler:

Quote:Nothing to do with this thread and I'm sorry. 
Hey Mike, what is your PC? Is it an Emachines 210?
No, it is a Dell Dimension 2400.

Oh s***! Unfortunately, I don't have a AGP slot. EVEN WORSE, the graphics card I have is integrated (meaning it is built-in.) I looked in my Dell Dimension 2400 Owner's Manual at page 59 and the section of this page is: System Board Componments. And there are 3 PCI slots, no AGP slots according to the manual. Is there any graphics cards available that are for PCI slots and it is compatible for Sims 2?

hey mike I have to say you make me laugh- not that I am laughing @ the lack of AGP, its more your delivery
 
I double checked (you just never know) and this confirms it:
 
CNET's review of your PC
 
As far as PCI cards go, do not panic, .. well not just yet
 
I'm assuming you are American (from when you said you have $ to spend)??
 
If so I hear that http://www.newegg.com and http://www.compusa.com are quite popular. I assume this is true, since I'm in the UK.
 
So looking on those sites I suggest you try these links:
 
PowerColor Radeon 9200 Video Card, 256MB DDR
 
Chaintech nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Video Card, 256MB DDR
 
I've been fair - 1 nVidia and 1 ATI
 
I couldn't check CompUSA since the site is unavailable (something about 'sorry' and 'restocking' )
 
Make sure though that you dont get a "PCI Express" or "PCI-X" or "PCI-E" card! This is the newer standard of graphics cards and you'll find they dont fit/work in a regular PCI slot. Ensure that card says "PCI" fullstop
 
Your Intel Graphics are listed as "compatible" for the Sims2 but as you found, yes they work but maybe not to the optimal level.
 
BTW- maybe worth posting on a gaming forum - ask whats the best PCI card. Might get some good replies. Obviously check out the reviews on the above cards before hand - always good to do a comparison and a bit of research.
 
Eventually if you really get into your gaming and start craving for more and more speed & quality I guess you could always replace your motherboard. Of course thats another story! I did that and I ended up replacing everything! I got a bit carried away :x