Help with graphics

Hi, I recently got another pc with an integrated graphics card for my Sims 2. I don't know if it's a piece of doodoo or just not set correctly, but the graphics are awful.
My old pc has a Radeon 9600, and I wanted better graphics on the new pc but was told that the integrated card should be just fine.
The specs are:

Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Driver Report


Report Date: 07/01/2009
Report Time[hr:mm:ss]: 10:25:54
Driver Version: 6.14.10.4906
Operating System: Windows XP* Professional, Service Pack 3 (5.1.2600)
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 9.0
Physical Memory: 3317 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 8 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 384 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 11 MB
Processor: x86 family 6 Model 23 Stepping 10
Processor Speed: 2982 MHZ
Vendor ID: 8086
Device ID: 2982
Device Revision: 03


* Accelerator Information *

Accelerator in Use: Intel(R) G35 Express Chipset Family
Video BIOS: 1594.0
Current Graphics Mode: 1280 by 1024 True Color
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I don't know if this is a good set up for Sims 2, and wonder if there is a way to change/tweek the settings for optimal graphic performance in my game.
thanks for any advice

Sims 2 is not that graphically demanding (relatively), but you should still get at least a low-end graphics card to play things smoothly. Check newegg.com for a good cheap graphics card. Something like an HD 4550 is fine, although for your needs the possibilities are endless.

well now the 9600 is really low end. current low end hardware should suffice