First off, let me explain that my computer is not a gaming computer, I don't game with the exception of WoW, and I bought my laptop before I did.
I have a dinky little Macbook (omgLAWL MAC GAMUR is old and boring, don't bother), but I've noticed this while playing on a HP as well.
My laptop overheats so severely when I play WoW or stream a video that sometimes I think it's going to melt, even if I prop it up. I tried using a laptop fan under it but it didn't seem to help. When it gets hot, I lag, so you can imagine how annoying it is. About 5 minutes in the "whirrrrrrrr" starts and then it starts to get so hot I'm pretty sure I could fry food on it. Besides overheating, I don't have any problems with it.
I've heard there's something you can download/run to regulate temperature? Is there something for the HP as well?
In b4 Macs suck.