I'm completely fine with a standard PC and a gamepad. I'm not a fan of racing games so a wheel would be completely pointless. If it was cheaper (and I mean a loooot cheaper) I would try one of the various VR headset, since there are so many games with VR modes.
I've accumulated some marketed-as-gaming-gear over the years, usually on sale, and for the most part I don't think it really imparts any greater performance. My primary aim was increased durability, because I was at least yearly replacing my headset, mouse, and keyboard for a while when I was simply going by cheapest price. Thus far all of my equipment as withstood abuse and time commensurate to the increased price. That said, there are a few common, useful features. A lot of gaming mice let you adjust the DPI with a button, which means you can raise or lower the sensitivity with a click which can be useful for zoomed-in aiming. A lot also offer macros, which are handy for otherwise obnoxious button combinations (like sliding attacks in Warframe). I used to play action/fighting type games that demanded a lot of keyboard input, which led me to pick up a gaming keyboard that had a much higher rollover than your standard keyboard. (Usually pressing more than 2 keys at once can cause you to drop inputs). I also appreciate the clickiness and resistance provided by a truly mechanical keyboard, as opposed to the otherwise-ubiquitous mushy digital stuff cheap keyboards have. My understanding is most gaming headsets are truly woefully overpriced, so make sure to do your research if you're after one of those.
I wouldn't purchase gaming purely because it's ''cool'' or because it's a certain brand and so on. I only purchase such gear if I like it or find it comfortable using. With that said, for PC, I have Logitech gaming gear: the mouse, keyboard, and headphones but I've been using the same things for nearly 5 years and I don't plan on replacing them anytime soon. For consoles, I have wireless USB headphones (Turtle Beach) but they were a birthday gift. Otherwise no gaming gear. A lot of this gear is terribly overpriced just because of the brand's name. I do admit that I'd love to play some VR on the console though. It's a shame that it's so expensive.
If I could, I would constantly improve my PC. Yes it takes a lot of money but still, I think that games on PC are much better than on consoles. I might be wrong but it's probably just a habit.
I honestly wouldn't purchase any sort of extra equipment. If it isn't required in the game then there really isn't a point, even if it was chances are I still wouldn't buy it. I like to keep it old school, get the game with the console and controllers.
I think buying the joystick and the wheel can be good enough. And for most of the games that can work out. I have found out that it's not all the time you may need all of that. As it can reduce your prices. So it's worth going for gears which is more cheap.
For the sake of playing games I would definitely purchase all the gear necessary for playing them, if I had enough money, that is.
The only time to buy gears if the gears is if the game itself has a GOOD, long and captivating story and gameplay. Maybe then buying gears could go under consideration for me.
I personally think that it depends on the game. If the game requires to have a gear to have a better gaming experience, they I would buy gears for it.
Eh, if that is the case, then you need to question is the game really worth buying. At least that is what I think.
I think of it as not necessary purchase. And for that reason I'd not chooses to spend much money on something like that.
I think these days a lot of gear is nothing but a waste of time. And for that reason I don't wish to waste my time in that context.
