So here we are, I've got a mid-2012 Macbook Pro Retina, a Razer Deathstalker, a Razer Naga 2014, a little amp with some decent speakers, and a new monitor...
My monitor of choice? I picked up an LG 24MP57 for $179. I know it isn't the BEST monitor, but it's IPS, decently sized, and not $1000.
So how does it all stack up? its nice! I no longer feel like I'm peeking into an apartment peep-hole on a 15" screen and I have a truly desktop experience. Admittedly, I miss the multi-finger gestures of the apple trackpad (back and forward in my browser, changing spaces, etc.) but with my Razer devices, I just threw in some custom keys and boom, its all back to normal.

I've saved myself a couple hundred bucks (for the time being) and I don't have to migrate any data. I think I can live with that.