AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
A reporting application will run on a single Azure VM and needs 8 vCPUs, 64 GiB of RAM, and a temporary local disk for cache. The team wants a size that satisfies the requirement without oversizing memory or paying for an unnecessarily large specialty series. Which two VM sizes meet the requirement best? Select two.
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often overlook the local temporary disk requirement and select a VM size that meets vCPU and RAM but lacks local storage (e.g., D8as_v5 without 's' or F-series), or they choose an M-series VM that grossly oversizes memory, mistaking 'memory-optimized' as always appropriate for any memory need.
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
✓
E8as_v5
The E8as_v5 is correct because it provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM, matching the requirement exactly, and includes a temporary local disk (SSD) for cache. It belongs to the memory-optimized Esv5 series, which is designed for memory-intensive workloads without oversizing, and the 'as' variant includes local temporary storage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
E8as_v5
Why this is correct
This size provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of memory, matching the workload requirement closely.
- ✓
E8ds_v5
Why this is correct
This size also provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of memory, making it an appropriate fit.
- ✗
D8as_v5
Why it's wrong here
This is a smaller general-purpose size and does not provide enough memory for the workload.
When this WOULD be correct
This size would be correct for a general-purpose workload needing 8 vCPUs and 32 GiB of RAM without a local temporary disk, such as a web server or small database that relies on remote storage.
- ✗
F8s_v2
Why it's wrong here
This family emphasizes compute density but falls short of the required memory capacity.
When this WOULD be correct
This size would be correct for a compute-intensive batch processing job that needs high CPU performance but minimal memory, such as a video encoding task requiring 8 vCPUs and less than 16 GiB of RAM.
- ✗
M8ms
Why it's wrong here
This is a much larger memory-optimized size than needed and would overspend for the scenario.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a scenario where the application requires very high memory-to-core ratio (e.g., 8 GiB per vCPU or more) and is a large in-memory database or analytics workload that benefits from the M-series' memory bandwidth and large cache. The question would specify that cost is not a primary concern and that the VM must be from the M-series for compatibility or performance guarantees.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The AZ-104 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓E8as_v5Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This size provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of memory, matching the workload requirement closely.
✗D8as_v5Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The D8as_v5 has only 32 GiB of RAM, which is half the required 64 GiB, and it lacks a local temporary disk for cache, failing the storage requirement.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This size would be correct for a general-purpose workload needing 8 vCPUs and 32 GiB of RAM without a local temporary disk, such as a web server or small database that relies on remote storage.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may see 'D' series as cost-effective and assume the 'as' variant includes local storage, but D-series 'as' variants do not have local temp disks, unlike E-series 'ds' variants.
✗F8s_v2Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The F8s_v2 has only 8 vCPUs and 16 GiB of RAM, which is far below the required 64 GiB of RAM for the reporting application.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This size would be correct for a compute-intensive batch processing job that needs high CPU performance but minimal memory, such as a video encoding task requiring 8 vCPUs and less than 16 GiB of RAM.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may focus only on the vCPU count (8 vCPUs) and overlook the memory requirement, or they might assume the F-series is suitable for any general-purpose workload without checking memory specifications.
✗M8msWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The M8ms is a memory-optimized VM from the M-series, which is designed for large in-memory workloads like SAP HANA. It provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM, but it is a specialty series that is significantly more expensive than the E-series, and the question specifies avoiding unnecessarily large specialty series. Additionally, the M8ms does not include a temporary local disk for cache, which is required by the application.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a scenario where the application requires very high memory-to-core ratio (e.g., 8 GiB per vCPU or more) and is a large in-memory database or analytics workload that benefits from the M-series' memory bandwidth and large cache. The question would specify that cost is not a primary concern and that the VM must be from the M-series for compatibility or performance guarantees.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may see that M8ms exactly matches the vCPU and RAM requirements (8 vCPUs, 64 GiB RAM) and assume it is a good fit, without realizing that the M-series is a premium specialty series that is overkill for a reporting application needing only a temporary local disk cache. They may overlook the cost and series constraints mentioned in the question.
Analysis generated from the official AZ-104blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on AZ-104
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 reporting application must run on an Azure VM with at least 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM. The team also wants headroom for short spikes without falling below the requirement. Which two VM sizes meet or exceed the requirement? Select two.
medium- ✓ A.Standard_E8s_v5
- B.Standard_D8s_v5
- C.Standard_F8s_v2
- ✓ D.Standard_M8ms
- E.Standard_B8ms
Why A: Standard_E8s_v5 is correct because it provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM, meeting the minimum requirement exactly. The E-series is memory-optimized, offering a high memory-to-core ratio suitable for reporting workloads, and the v5 generation includes Intel Xeon Platinum 8370C processors with support for premium storage and accelerated networking, ensuring headroom for short spikes without dropping below the requirement.
Variation 2. A reporting application needs an Azure VM with at least 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM. The workload is memory-heavy, and the team wants a reasonable starting point. Which VM family should the administrator choose?
easy- A.B-series
- B.D-series
- ✓ C.E-series
- D.F-series
Why C: The E-series is Azure's memory-optimized VM family, designed for workloads that require a high memory-to-CPU ratio. For a memory-heavy reporting application, the E-series (e.g., E8s_v3 with 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB RAM) provides the needed memory efficiently and is a reasonable starting point. While a D-series VM like D16s_v3 can also meet the minimum specs, it does so with double the vCPUs, making E-series a more cost-effective and appropriate choice for memory-intensive workloads.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-104 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AZ-104 exam.