This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design cost-optimized architectures. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: aWS Compute Optimizer recommends optimal AWS resource configurations.. 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 test environment has EC2 instances that are oversized based on CPU, memory, and network utilisation. Which AWS service should identify rightsizing recommendations?
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: DataSync transfers data and does not recommend compute sizes.
AWS Shield
Why wrong: Shield protects against DDoS and does not analyse instance sizing.
AWS Artifact
Why wrong: Artifact provides compliance reports and agreements, not rightsizing recommendations.
AWS Compute Optimizer
Compute Optimizer analyses utilisation metrics and recommends rightsizing for supported resources.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Compute Optimizer
AWS Compute Optimizer uses machine learning to analyze historical utilization metrics (CPU, memory, network, and storage) and provides rightsizing recommendations for EC2 instances, including over-provisioned resources. It helps reduce costs by suggesting instance types or sizes that better match actual workload demands.
Key principle: AWS Compute Optimizer recommends optimal AWS resource configurations.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync transfers data and does not recommend compute sizes.
AWS Shield
Why it's wrong here
Shield protects against DDoS and does not analyse instance sizing.
AWS Artifact
Why it's wrong here
Artifact provides compliance reports and agreements, not rightsizing recommendations.
AWS Compute Optimizer
Why this is correct
Compute Optimizer analyses utilisation metrics and recommends rightsizing for supported resources.
Related concept
AWS Compute Optimizer recommends optimal AWS resource configurations.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse AWS Compute Optimizer with AWS Trusted Advisor, but Trusted Advisor provides general cost optimization checks (e.g., idle instances) while Compute Optimizer delivers granular, ML-driven rightsizing recommendations for specific instance types.
Detailed technical explanation
AWS Compute Optimizer leverages CloudWatch metrics (e.g., CPUUtilization, MemoryUtilization, NetworkIn/Out) over a lookback period (default 14 days) to generate recommendations. It also considers instance family, EBS volume type, and pricing model (On-Demand vs. Reserved) to suggest the most cost-effective configuration. In a real-world scenario, an oversized t3.large instance running at 10% CPU utilization would be flagged for downsizing to a t3.medium or t3.small, potentially saving 50% or more in monthly costs.
Key takeaway
AWS Compute Optimizer recommends optimal AWS resource configurations.
Real-world example
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
Review aWS Compute Optimizer recommends optimal AWS resource configurations., then practise related SAA-C03 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Design Cost-Optimized Architectures — This question tests Design Cost-Optimized Architectures — AWS Compute Optimizer recommends optimal AWS resource configurations..
The correct answer is: AWS Compute Optimizer — AWS Compute Optimizer uses machine learning to analyze historical utilization metrics (CPU, memory, network, and storage) and provides rightsizing recommendations for EC2 instances, including over-provisioned resources. It helps reduce costs by suggesting instance types or sizes that better match actual workload demands.
Review aWS Compute Optimizer recommends optimal AWS resource configurations., then practise related SAA-C03 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
AWS Compute Optimizer recommends optimal AWS resource configurations.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SAA-C03 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SAA-C03 exam.
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