Choosing a motherboard in CPUs, motherboards & memory can go wrong when the price looks right but the board is aimed at a different machine or processor plan. Here, the key decision is not simply used versus new: Dell's board is described around the Precision 3650 Tower, while MSI names a distinct Intel socket and generation direction.
Quick verdict
The lower price does not settle this matchup. The listed-price gap is $82.22, but it should come after platform direction: a board focused on a named workstation tower solves a different problem from a board whose title calls out a particular socket and Intel generations. Treat condition and the named component labels as tie-breakers once the target machine or planned parts are clear.
| Detail | Dell Precision 3650 Tower motherboard | MSI Z390-A PRO motherboard |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 89.99 | USD 172.21 |
| Stated condition | Used | New |
| Named platform wording | Intel W580 Socket LGA1200 | LGA 1151; 9th/8th Intel |
| Memory wording | DDR4 SDRAM | DDR4 |
| Other named details | BIOS Unlocked, Computrace Unlocked, MDM not enabled | ATX, M.2, USB 3.1 |
Where each motherboard wins
Dell Precision 3650 Tower motherboard: Its clearest win is a replacement situation centered on the Dell Precision 3650 Tower. The description specifically frames the board around that system, giving a shopper with that tower a more direct starting point than a general Intel motherboard search. The unlocked BIOS, unlocked Computrace, and MDM-not-enabled status wording also makes this board distinct within the pair.
MSI Z390-A PRO motherboard: MSI is the stronger match when the parts list already calls for the named ATX, M.2, and USB 3.1 labels. Those labels give a clearer component checklist for a planned build. They do not establish an across-the-board performance advantage over Dell's board; they simply point to a different build direction.
Product notes
Dell Precision 3650 Tower motherboard
The strongest reason to choose the Dell Precision 3650 Tower motherboard is its listed system focus combined with its specific board-status details. BIOS Unlocked, Computrace Unlocked, and MDM not enabled are concrete points for a shopper whose decision depends on those settings rather than on a broad feature comparison. It also names DDR4 SDRAM, helping keep the memory choice aligned with the board's stated configuration. The trade-off is straightforward: this is marked Used. That makes condition an important part of the decision, especially for a buyer deciding between this tower-oriented route and MSI's New-condition alternative.
MSI Z390-A PRO motherboard
MSI Z390-A PRO has the clearest case when planned components already match the LGA 1151 and 9th/8th Gen Intel wording in its title. Its New condition separates it from Dell's used board, and the title also identifies DDR4 for the memory plan. The concrete limitation is that same specific platform framing: select MSI for the stated socket and processor-generation direction instead of treating it as a general substitute for the Dell-focused choice. For a build that begins with those named Intel requirements, the MSI title gives a more immediately aligned route through the decision.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Dell Precision 3650 Tower motherboard when the goal is addressing a Dell Precision 3650 Tower and its listed board-status details matter to the purchase. Choose the MSI Z390-A PRO motherboard when the stated hardware direction matches the parts already planned. If neither target mirrors the computer or build plan, neither board is a sensible default solely because of price or condition.
