This is the one reason why I constantly choose consoles over PCs. When I buy a console, I know that I will get 5 to 10 years of games that are compatible with the system, and will mostly run perfectly on the device. PC and Smartphone technology evolves too fast, and a year or two after you buy one, it's already completely obsolete, unless you are fine with playing older games, or spending a small fortune on a new one.
I built a desktop PC myself in 2011 (i7 950; 8GB RAM; 560 Ti; W7 x64). It still can run many games - after some upgrades (now has i7 950 still; 16 GB RAM; GTX 960; still on W7 x64). If you do it a built right or buy PC properly, this should not be an issue. Basically, you can have a rockstar these days, if you spend $1000-2000. You have to buy & build at the right time, pretty much - which is often when a new console generation rolls around.
I've upgraded a few times this PC, which will happen while you have a PC; you'll need to do it. Around year 4-5, just like on a console - things began to get stiff. A few changes/upgrades should solve it. So, I added more RAM (jumped from 8GB originally later to 16GB) and have changed video cards (started with a 1GB GTX 560 Ti; and later jumped to a 4GB GTX 960 for around $220 or so; and then I got a GTX 970 so cheap for $100 from someone that I knew, so I upgraded to that - or I'd probably still use the 960). I jumped on the 960 when Batman: AK came out (around June 2015).
I'm done now w/ upgrading that old and aging rig. I have never changed the CPU here (i7 950). So, I'm finally due for a new desktop. It was when I picked up AC: Origins (Gold Edition - got that for a little over $20, a few years back), that I finally realized this rig was being tested - as that game was running at 1080p at 25-30fps at Medium settings (i.e. typical console quality, more or less; I aim for 108060fps normally).
Consoles have extended PC life big time. In a sense, those systems hold the PC back, from fully reaching its full potential. But in another way - my system lasted way longer, this go around - which was fantastic. Intel and they way they refresh their CPU's the last 10 years or so - yeah, it's really made stuff last a long time, if you buy or build properly. In the old days (i.e. 1990's to early 2000's), a PC like this never would've lasted this long.
I bought a $1000 laptop 2 years ago. SC15 laptop. It was normally $2000 - so, I knew my PC was getting old then, so I shrugged my shoulders and said "What the heck?" These days, I run a lot of newer titles on that to get that 1080p60fps or better.
I barely spend a lot of money on PC games per title. Most games, come from Bundles, sales, or whatnot. I barely spend $20 or bigger name titles - once and a while, namely. Most I probably spent lately was $30 for AC: Odyssey Gold - and that's a Complete Edition with everything (Base game, Season Pass, and also comes w/ AC3 Remastered & AC Lib HD).
I have over 2000 games on Steam. Doesn't include other services either - such as GOG, Origin, UPlay, Epic Store, etc.
I can't remember the last time I actually spent MSRP or more on a game (i.e. $50 to 60 MSRP or more). Well, I actually can - back in 2011, Witcher 2; the PC that I actually built this PC originally for. And the first title for this desktop. Even then, I think I spent like $45 on so on the pre-order.
So, instead of blowing money on say $60-120 MSRP games on Day 1 ($60 is often for MSRP Day 1; anywhere from $100-$120 is often Gold Edition prices w/ Base Game & Season Pass) - when need be, I just sink money into hardware, when it needs it.
I also pay $5 a month for PC Game Pass. I've played Gears 5, Metro Exodus, The Outer Worlds on Day 1. Wolfenstein II TNC, Wolfenstein Youngblood, No Man's Sky, Halo Reach, Halo 2, etc etc - these are other games I've played on Game Pass when they were on it...and didn't have to really drop any big coin on those either. If I need them (as sometimes DLC's don't hit Game Pass for 3rd party games), I'll just grab them cheap later.
