I have an HP Pavilion a1600n with the following features
-Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
-AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ (2.00 GHz)
-3 GB RAM
-Integrated Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE (256 MB)
- Motherboard = ASUSTek Computer INC.
-177GB Hard Drive, 17 GB free

I have all the expansions and stuff packs up to Seasons (not Bon Voyage or Teen Stuff) and a whopping 8.95 GB of Custom Content (25,999 files). The Sims 2 will NOT work well, tons of lagging with low graphics settings. Sometimes i'm in bodyshop or just playing and the game just exits itself out. I'm pretty sure its because of terrible system specs. I just added 2 GB of Ram to my 1GB. Didn't do much.

**What else can I add/change to make the game run well?

Will the following help??

• New Graphics card? (Which one and is it compatible with the integrated chips? Would I have to uninstall the chips or something?)

• New Processor? (Compatible with my motherboard? Do I have to replace the processor I have or can I install it in addition to my 3800+)

• Add another GB of RAM?

• Defragmenting my Drive?

In other words, what do I have to do to my computer to make the Sims 2 work?? Of the above list, what MUST I do, or what else can I do to improve the game performance?
Or Do I simply have to cut my downloads in half? Is 9GB of CC impossible to run?

Sorry for the wordy help post, thanks in advance

There are suggestions (with links) in the System Checkup faq under System Health that will help. But reducing your custom content will also help. Taking the time to remove specialty items that you only use use once in a while, duplicates of the same content, etc will increase your game performance. Also, the Computer Hardware and Software forum at S2C is a better place to get advice on hardware alternatives for your computer. Good luck and happy simming.