Good build for laptop?

So, first off here is my configuration:

Specifications:
Chassis: Digital Storm x15 8690 (Weight: 7.38 LBS)
Display: 15.6 inch HD+ LED Display with Enhanced Super Glossy Surface (Resolution: 1600 x 900)
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7-820QM 1.73GHz (8MB Cache) (Quad Core)
System Memory: 8GB DDR3 at 1333MHz (Extreme-Performance) (NOTE: Requires i7-720QM or Higher Processor)
Inputs: Gigabit Ethernet LAN / Card Reader / eSATA
Main Storage: 320GB (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA Laptop Hard Drive)
Extra Storage: - No Thanks
Raid Options: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD/CD 8x Multi-Drive (Writes and Reads DVDs, CDs)
Wireless Access: Intel 6300AGN 802.11 A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
Features: Integrated Video Camera / Bluetooth
Outputs: HDMI 1080P / DVI Port / SPDIF Audio / Headphone / Microphone
Video Card(s): ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 1GB
External TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD)
Protection: - No Thanks
Office Suite: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: FREE: Hot-selling game with a NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 or above graphics card
Carry Bag: Standard Carrying Bag
External Cooling: NoteBook Cooler
External Keyboard: - No Thanks
External Mouse: Cooler Master  Sentinel Advance Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade)
External Speakers: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Full Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Labor & 1 Year Parts Warranty
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Now, I want this to be a computer that I can take to school with me and take notes on but also be used for some serious gaming in my downtime.  I was reading a little around the forums and I believe someone said that having the fast quad-core processors is almost useless because they bottleneck and I guess their full potential is never realized.  Is this true (and if so please explain, other post was a little vague on this point)?  I don't want to spend a lot of extra money if that extra $200 on processor power is only going to give me minimal better performance at best.  I know the laptop won't have the true gaming power of a desktop but I'm just hoping someone can either share how their laptop has been handling the games they play and at what settings they are able to run them at.