Computer Case

Antec GX500 - $49
In retrospect, we cut corners by picking a cheaper case with our $1,700 build. We really wanted to cram in a "Skylake" CPU and GTX 980 Ti. Alas, a cheap case won't "fail," but bad ventilation will make things noisier. We improved our choice this time around by picking the Antec GX500.

At $49, this case has gallons of room for all the hardware we've chosen so far, with a massive drive-cage, huge amounts of clearance for graphics cards, cutouts in the motherboard tray where you'd want them, and a nice 120 mm fan Antec included.

Monitor

LG 23MP47HQ (23-inch, IPS, 5 ms response time) - $149
There are $20-$30 cheaper 23-inch 1080p displays with IPS panels, but they have their imperfections, such as 6-8 ms response times, glossy panels, etc. LG is a master with IPS tech, and its monitors are some of the best for image quality and color reproduction. The 23MP47HQ gets the job done at its given price, with a non-glossy panel surface, 5 ms response time, HDMI input, and dynamic mega-contrast.

Peripherals

CM Storm Devastator, Sharkoon Rush ER1 - $47
We'll just take the CM Storm Devastator gaming-grade keyboard and mouse combination and the headset for our $1,700 build and will, as such, repeat our reasons for those here.

The CM Storm Devastator certainly beats non-gaming $15 keyboard-mouse combos from Microsoft or Logitech. The 2,000 dpi mouse is sufficient for most gaming types and allows for both palm- and claw-grips; the keyboard, while membrane-based, offers decent tactile feedback and is back-lit. You get this combo in three back-lit colors - red, blue, and green.

At $18, the Rush ER1 is the cheapest circumaural headset from a notable gaming peripherals vendor. It features a monolithic fiber-type headband, wide-bore ear cups, decent 40 mm drivers with 102 dB sensitivity, and a 2.4 m long cord that sticks into just one end on the headset.

We overshot our budget by $2. Maybe don't order fries on the side next time.