My pending PC Build. Request Input

Giving your son the benefit of the doubt, he is simply totally unware of how poorly photography-oriented application programs utilize the things that benefit gamers.

I have been involved in computer graphics since my twenty's (now retired) so I comprehend what graphics cards do...and most of what it does for gamers is absolutely not utilized in a photo editor. If you think about it, would you need software that

1. computes where in the scene shadows fall, relative to an assumed sun position in the sky
   
2. computes wall textures like concrete vs. glass vs. stucco vs. brick
   
3. computes natural surface textures like grass vs. stone vs. sandy beach
   
4. computes what an area filled with evergreen trees looks like in the distance
   
5. computes a 3D rendering of all of the above, as a character runs around the scene
   

Wilt wrote in post #19047133
Giving your son the benefit of the doubt, he is simply totally unware of how poorly photography-oriented application programs utilize the things that benefit gamers.

I have been involved in computer graphics since my twenty's (now retired) so I comprehend what graphics cards do...and most of what it does for gamers is absolutely not utilized in a photo editor. If you think about it, would you need software that

1. computes where in the scene shadows fall, relative to an assumed sun position in the sky
   
2. computes wall textures like concrete vs. glass vs. stucco vs. brick
   
3. computes natural surface textures like grass vs. stone vs. sandy beach
   
4. computes what an area filled with evergreen trees looks like in the distance
   
5. computes a 3D rendering of all of the above, as a character runs around the scene
   

...just some of the things a photo does not need.

I actually tried to explain this to him prior but was inadequate at it. The way your explanation sounds is much better than mine

I see that your CPU does not include integrated graphics. So either consider another CPU that does have that, or find a simple graphics card that has display port or HDMI output, as well as support for 3840x2160 at 60hz (as I see that's what your Dell monitor supports).

Since your build is pending, have you considered Dell Optiplex small form or micro (5000 or 7000 series)? And refurbished inventory too.

If building a computer will boost your educational experience then do so. Otherwise, look for key components such as i5/i7; SSD; 4K vid card; and 8gb RAM... that’ll exceed photography and graphic needs.