[Artist77]

So, I'm getting a gaming PC with my excess school money, and I'm stuck between two of them, through Best Buy. Links below-

HP - Pavilion Laptop / AMD A-Series Processor / 15.6" Display / 6GB Memory / 640GB Hard Drive - Dark Umber - dv6-6135dx

HP - Pavilion Laptop / AMD Phenom™ II Processor / 17.3" Display / 4GB Memory / 500GB Hard Drive - Pewter - g7-1167dx

The first one is pretty amazing from what my friend and the saleman said (yeah, right... ), but it IS $700. Ouch. But while apparently the 2nd computer can run Dragon Age Origins, and even Fallout, Oblivion and The Witcher, it might have performance issues, specifically with the mods.

I'm hoping to run some of the more basic ones, nothing TOO fancy, such as, example, the following;

Ferelden Models - 218 Unique Character Faces and Presets at Dragon Age Nexus - Dragon Age mods and community

I'm also looking to do standard equipment mods (color, fan creations, armors and swords), and "enhancers" (clothes on during the, ahem, yeah, you know ; animation fixes, etc.).

With that in mind, any suggestions from you, the community, to heighten my gaming experience?

My first reaction is go with Desktop but it looks like you want to stick with a laptop. Between the two you have posted I would say the first one for sure. Its just better overall, aside from the 17 inch screen that the other one has.
Sure the second laptop can play those current games now, it wont be able to keep up with new releases for long. So I'd say the little bit more of an investment would be worth it for the first laptop.

[omega145]

Check prices of those on eBay. You should be able to save a hundred bucks or so. I've bought my last 3 computers off there. Research the videocard that's in each laptop and check benchmarks online to see performance.

[MasterSock]

Tiger direct has great deal i would go their. See what they have.

[Optimus Vader]

I'd go with the 15" myself. It's a more powerful machine in every way. I'm also not a fan of the giant "desktop replacement" laptops, which that 17" tank is, but that's just me. If I'm buying a laptop I need it to be somewhat light and portable.

You can also probably talk the Best Buy sales guy down about $30-$50. Those prices aren't set in stone (a lot of people think they are).

[warmachine6]

build your own thats what i did

[Optimus Vader]

I did that 10+ years ago, but computers are so cheap anymore there's really no point.