Need advice on best way to blow $300 for A1200 upgrades?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

For basic gaming you might scale back on the accelerator and put that money towards something else.

If it were me (and I were working in that budget), I'd probably go with the following:

http://amigakit.amiga.store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1296

https://amigakit.amiga.store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1101

http://amigakit.amiga.store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1148

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CF-to-IDE-44-pin-adapter-for-Amiga-600-1200/152931861507?hash=item239b730403:g:n1kAAOSw9eVXWg6c

I'd add 3.1 ROM's on that list but saw you mentioned already having those.    Personally I think Gotek's are one of the dumbest things out there but I know other people swear by 'em and love 'em.  Obviously no two people's configurations are the same and what's perfect for someone else might not be perfect for you.  Good luck, have fun!  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Just curious, what do you use in place of a Gotek?

You've never heard of WHDLoad?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WHDLoad

http://whdload.de/

TL;DR. It allows almost every Amiga game to be ran from hard drive.

Look around on the 'net, you can find downloadable "game packs" of almost every Amiga game imaginable, already ready to go.  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

why a real time clock?

Because I like to have dates associated with my files, and be able to see the date at the top of my screen.  You may not care about these sorts of things, but I'm pretty OCD.