- A
Use gp3 for new EBS volumes instead of gp2 when similar performance is enough.
Correct. gp3 decouples baseline performance from volume size, which commonly lowers cost for workloads that do not need gp2's hidden throughput coupling. It is a practical right-sizing move for many general-purpose volumes.
- B
Automate snapshot creation and deletion with Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager.
Correct. Data Lifecycle Manager removes manual snapshot sprawl and keeps retention aligned to policy. Automation is important here because the problem is not backup absence, but uncontrolled backup growth.
- C
Move old snapshots to the EBS Snapshot Archive tier once they are rarely restored.
Correct. The archive tier is specifically designed for long-term, infrequently restored snapshots. It preserves recovery options at a much lower storage cost than keeping every snapshot in the standard tier.
- D
Keep unattached volumes around for troubleshooting after instance termination.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Leaving orphaned volumes attached to nothing consumes storage indefinitely and directly increases cost. If they are no longer needed, they should be removed or explicitly retained by policy.
- E
Raise provisioned IOPS on every volume so snapshot restore time feels faster.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Higher IOPS increases cost and does not address the real problem, which is unnecessary retained storage and unmanaged snapshots. Restore speed is not improved by paying for extra performance on all volumes.
SAA-C03 Design Cost-Optimized Architectures Practice Question
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design cost-optimized architectures. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A fleet of test servers is rebuilt every week from AMIs. EBS volumes are often left behind after termination, and the team creates daily snapshots of every volume even when nothing changes. Which three actions most reduce storage cost while preserving recovery options? Select three.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use gp3 for new EBS volumes instead of gp2 when similar performance is enough.
Option A is correct because gp3 volumes offer a baseline performance that is often sufficient for test server workloads, and they are typically more cost-effective than gp2 volumes when similar performance is adequate. By using gp3, you avoid paying for provisioned IOPS that you do not need, directly reducing storage costs without sacrificing recovery options.
Key principle: gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use gp3 for new EBS volumes instead of gp2 when similar performance is enough.
Why this is correct
Correct. gp3 decouples baseline performance from volume size, which commonly lowers cost for workloads that do not need gp2's hidden throughput coupling. It is a practical right-sizing move for many general-purpose volumes.
Related concept
gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size.
- ✓
Automate snapshot creation and deletion with Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager.
Why this is correct
Correct. Data Lifecycle Manager removes manual snapshot sprawl and keeps retention aligned to policy. Automation is important here because the problem is not backup absence, but uncontrolled backup growth.
Related concept
gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size.
- ✓
Move old snapshots to the EBS Snapshot Archive tier once they are rarely restored.
Why this is correct
Correct. The archive tier is specifically designed for long-term, infrequently restored snapshots. It preserves recovery options at a much lower storage cost than keeping every snapshot in the standard tier.
Related concept
gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size.
- ✗
Keep unattached volumes around for troubleshooting after instance termination.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Leaving orphaned volumes attached to nothing consumes storage indefinitely and directly increases cost. If they are no longer needed, they should be removed or explicitly retained by policy.
- ✗
Raise provisioned IOPS on every volume so snapshot restore time feels faster.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Higher IOPS increases cost and does not address the real problem, which is unnecessary retained storage and unmanaged snapshots. Restore speed is not improved by paying for extra performance on all volumes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think keeping unattached volumes is a valid recovery option, but it is more cost-effective to snapshot and delete them, and they may overlook that raising IOPS does not accelerate snapshot restore times.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager (DLM) can automate snapshot creation and deletion based on policies, ensuring that only necessary snapshots are retained and reducing storage waste. The EBS Snapshot Archive tier provides a low-cost storage option for snapshots that are rarely accessed, with a restore time of 24–72 hours, making it ideal for long-term retention of infrequently used recovery points.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size.
- gp3 offers a lower cost per GB than gp2.
- gp3 allows independent provisioning of IOPS and throughput.
- gp3 is suitable for a wide range of general-purpose workloads.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAA-C03 question test?
Design Cost-Optimized Architectures — This question tests Design Cost-Optimized Architectures — gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use gp3 for new EBS volumes instead of gp2 when similar performance is enough. — Option A is correct because gp3 volumes offer a baseline performance that is often sufficient for test server workloads, and they are typically more cost-effective than gp2 volumes when similar performance is adequate. By using gp3, you avoid paying for provisioned IOPS that you do not need, directly reducing storage costs without sacrificing recovery options.
What should I do if I get this SAA-C03 question wrong?
Review gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size., then practise related SAA-C03 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
gp3 volumes decouple performance from storage size.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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