I bought the Sims 2 a while ago, but can't bring myself to play it anymore because it is EXTREMELY slow on my PC. What are the recommendations for this game to play fast, smooth, and with next to no loading times. (I KNOW that I need a new graphics card, for starters, but I'm wondering what kind is best, amongst the other things I will need for this game to run as smooth as a baby's bottom.)

Also, if anyone has the Sims 2 AND FFXI, what computer hardware out there will make BOTH these games run smooth and fast on my PC?