Choosing CPUs, motherboards & memory is difficult when the candidates do not solve the same problem. One shopper may need a replacement board identified for a particular Dell tower; another may be building around a named Intel generation; a third may simply need a single DDR5 module. The useful payoff is to separate those jobs first, then use price as a second filter. Here, the four choices divide into three motherboards and one memory option, with a listed-price span of $289.01.
Quick take
Do not compare these choices as interchangeable upgrades. The two Dell motherboards are tied to different tower names, while the MSI Z390-A PRO is framed around a separate Intel platform. The G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 is memory rather than a motherboard, so it belongs in a different purchase decision altogether. Start with the exact role your PC needs, then use the listed amount and condition to narrow the choice.
Listed price comparison
| Selection | Listed price | Price indicator | Component role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell XPS 8940 motherboard | $161.58 | Dell tower motherboard | |
| Dell Precision 3650 Tower motherboard | $89.99 | Dell tower motherboard | |
| G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 memory | $379.00 | DDR5 desktop memory | |
| MSI Z390-A PRO motherboard | $172.21 | Intel motherboard |
Decision matrix
- Replacing a board in a Dell XPS 8940: Focus on the Dell XPS 8940 Desktop Motherboard, which explicitly names that tower.
- Keeping listed cost as low as possible for a Dell Precision 3650 Tower: The Dell Precision 3650 Tower motherboard is the lowest-priced choice in this group and is marked used.
- Adding a single DDR5 desktop-memory module: The G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 is the dedicated memory choice, named as 1x32GB DDR5.
- Building around a board labeled for 9th/8th Intel with M.2 and USB 3.1: The MSI Z390-A PRO is the direct match among these four.
Product notes
Dell XPS 8940 Desktop Motherboard Intel 10th 11th Gen LGA1200 DDR4 K3CM7 427JK
The reason to choose the Dell XPS 8940 motherboard is its explicit identification for the Dell XPS 8940, alongside LGA1200 and 10th- and 11th-generation Intel Core processor wording. Its listed connections include M.2, SATA, PCIe, USB Type-C, USB 3.1, USB 2.0, RJ-45, and a headset port, and the maximum memory configuration is stated as 128GB. At $161.58, it occupies the middle of the price range. The limitation is its narrow target: the model-specific Dell XPS 8940 designation is most useful when that is the machine being addressed, rather than when beginning a build around a different named platform.
Dell Precision 3650 Tower Intel W580 Socket LGA1200 Motherboard NDYHG 0NDYHG
For a Dell Precision 3650 Tower replacement, this motherboard has the clearest named fit and the lowest listed price at $89.99. It is described with DDR4 SDRAM memory slots and carries BIOS Unlocked, Computrace Unlocked, and MDM not enabled wording. That combination makes it the focused pick for shoppers whose starting point is the Precision 3650 Tower designation rather than a general motherboard search. Its concrete limitation is condition: it is marked used. Buyers who specifically want the lower listed amount and have the matching Dell tower have a direct reason to put it ahead of the more expensive Dell XPS 8940 board.
G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 32GB 1x32GB DDR5 6000 CL32 XMP 3.0 Intel Desktop Memory
The G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 is the selection for a shopper buying desktop memory rather than replacing a motherboard. Its named configuration is 1x32GB DDR5, with DDR5-6000, CL32, and XMP 3.0 in the title; the module capacity is also listed as 32GB. The stated bus speed is PC5-48000. Choose it when those exact memory specifications are the purpose of the purchase. At $379, it is the highest-priced item in the comparison. The limitation is equally specific: the named configuration is one 32GB module, so it should be chosen for that particular module format rather than treated as a substitute for any of the motherboards.
MSI Z390-A PRO Motherboard
The MSI Z390-A PRO is the motherboard to prioritize when the relevant build language is LGA 1151 with 9th/8th Intel, DDR4, M.2, and USB 3.1. Its $172.21 listed price places it close to the Dell XPS 8940 motherboard, but the platform naming is the more meaningful distinction. The description also calls out dual-channel memory support and non-ECC, unbuffered memory. This is a useful choice for a shopper deliberately selecting around the Z390-A PRO's stated platform and connection labels. Its limitation is that same focus: the board is presented around 9th/8th-generation Intel and DDR4, making it a less direct choice for someone whose task is specifically replacing a named Dell tower motherboard.
Final recommendation by use case
Choose the Dell XPS 8940 motherboard for an XPS 8940 replacement target. Choose the Dell Precision 3650 Tower motherboard when the Precision model name and the used condition suit the job, especially since it has the lowest listed amount. Choose the G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 when the purchase is specifically a 1x32GB DDR5 memory module. Choose the MSI Z390-A PRO for a build centered on its named LGA 1151, 9th/8th Intel, M.2, USB 3.1, and DDR4 platform.
