One of the major differences between "multimedia" or "Entertainment" laptops vs "gaming" or "Desktop replacement" laptops is dispaly resolution and discrete graphics. The HP DV7, like most off the shelf laptops has integrated (shared) graphics and many are not even HD.

Discrete graphics plus an SSD hard are probably the two most important things that set higher end laptops apart from what you can pick up at Best Buy. The 3rd thing would be a clean install of windows from a windows disc. Erase whatever came on the computer and start fresh.