
Believe what you will.... A GOOD gaming PC can be built around 400-700 depending on new parts or used and what kind of parts. And it can be fully enjoyed for at least 3 years minimum. Update parts every year my ass. I've saved more money playing my games on PC and all its glory and enjoying everything else about a computer which is fast and crazy performer in games/softwares/encoding/decoding than my friends who've added up costs/time with their numerous limitations/issues with the 360. Shoot I've even "converted" some of my fanboyish console friends to PC showing them that gaming can be just as cheap and even cheaper to play on in the long run and more fun/eye candy. Initial cost may be slightly higher on PC, but in the long run consoles are paying more for less. PC isn't just a gaming machine, it is a all-in-one device.
Games are cheaper/better controls/content, easier community integration, mods/skins/customized maps/customized anything. The possibilities are nearly endless. Plus you can listen/watch all movies/music in all shells/codecs of all sizes, surf the web, productivity softwares, basically all computer things alongside with gaming.
As for the gaming community dying down, you could never be more wrong. PC gaming is doing well and very much alive. Just look online for gaming communities by itself.
It is the media saying crap like that. Just like they said about PC gaming dying, they say the same for gaming piracy (it isn't as bad as ppl think). Sure the PC isn't doing as well in terms of numbers compared to consoles, but in no way is it dying.
Well alive my friend, you just hearing shit and regurgitating it to others. I mean how can PC gaming die, they are the leading edge in tech/hardware/content/media.... it makes no sense.