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Design Cost-Optimized ArchitecturesmediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Switch to AWS Graviton Instances to Reduce Compute Costs

A test environment runs on x86 EC2 instances and uses open-source software with no architecture-specific licensing restriction. What should be evaluated to reduce compute cost? The design must avoid adding custom operational scripts.

Quick Answer

Graviton is the right lever here because the two constraints in the scenario, no architecture-specific licensing restriction and a requirement to avoid custom operational scripts, both point toward a change that only requires re-evaluating the underlying instance family rather than rearchitecting how the workload runs. Since the software is open source and not tied to a particular CPU architecture, it can generally run on Graviton's ARM-based instances without code changes, and AWS provides native support for them, so no custom scripts or special handling are needed to make the switch. The 'after performance testing' qualifier matters too: price-performance gains are workload-dependent, so validating that the application behaves correctly and performs well on ARM before committing is part of doing this safely, not an optional step. This is a cleaner win than something like manually re-tuning instance sizes or building automation to manage a more complex scaling setup, because it reduces cost at the infrastructure layer without adding operational surface area. When a question emphasizes a workload with no architecture lock-in and asks for lower compute cost while avoiding new operational complexity, that combination is a strong signal that a Graviton migration, rather than a scripted or architectural workaround, is the intended answer.

⚠ Common exam trap

Candidates often confuse cost optimization with performance improvement or licensing requirements, leading them to select Dedicated Hosts or high-performance storage options that actually increase costs.

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

AWS Graviton-based instances after performance testing

AWS Graviton-based instances (ARM architecture) offer up to 40% better price-performance compared to x86 instances for many workloads. Since the environment uses open-source software with no architecture-specific licensing restrictions, migrating to Graviton after performance testing can significantly reduce compute costs without requiring custom operational scripts, as AWS provides native support for ARM-based instances.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • Cross-Region data replication for all data

    Why it's wrong here

    Replication improves resilience but adds transfer and storage cost.

  • AWS Graviton-based instances after performance testing

    Why this is correct

    Graviton instances often provide better price performance for compatible workloads.

  • io2 Block Express volumes for all instances

    Why it's wrong here

    High-end block storage increases cost unless required by performance needs.

  • Dedicated Hosts by default

    Why it's wrong here

    Dedicated Hosts are usually chosen for licensing or isolation, not basic cost reduction.

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Same concept, more angles

1 more way this is tested on SAA-C03

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. A test environment runs on x86 EC2 instances and uses open-source software with no architecture-specific licensing restriction. What should be evaluated to reduce compute cost?

medium
  • A.Cross-Region data replication for all data
  • B.AWS Graviton-based instances after performance testing
  • C.io2 Block Express volumes for all instances
  • D.Dedicated Hosts by default

Why B: AWS Graviton-based instances (e.g., M6g, C6g) use Arm-based custom AWS silicon, offering up to 40% better price-performance compared to comparable x86 instances for many workloads. Since the test environment runs open-source software with no architecture-specific licensing restrictions, migrating to Graviton after performance testing can significantly reduce compute costs without compatibility issues.

JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

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.