- A
Select a memory-optimized VM family.
Correct. Memory-optimized families are intended for workloads where RAM is more important than raw CPU throughput.
- B
Choose a size with at least 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM.
Correct. The VM must meet both the CPU and memory requirements before any other tuning matters.
- C
Choose a burstable B-series size to lower cost.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Burstable SKUs are for light or variable workloads and usually have poor memory-to-CPU balance for analytics.
- D
Pick a compute-optimized F-series size because CPU use is only moderate.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Compute-optimized sizes favor CPU-bound work, not memory-heavy analytics engines.
- E
Select the smallest VM size that supports managed disks.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Disk compatibility does not address the stated CPU and memory needs of the workload.
AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: azure VM families are optimized for different workloads.. 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 reporting server will run an analytics engine that needs 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM. Average CPU use is expected to stay moderate, but the workload is memory heavy and should not use a burstable SKU. Which two deployment choices best align with the requirement? Select two.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Select a memory-optimized VM family.
Option A is correct because the workload is memory heavy, and memory-optimized VM families (e.g., E-series) are designed with a higher memory-to-vCPU ratio to handle such workloads efficiently. Option B is correct because the requirement explicitly states 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM, so selecting a size that meets these exact specifications is necessary, regardless of family, as long as it is not burstable.
Key principle: Azure VM families are optimized for different workloads.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Select a memory-optimized VM family.
Why this is correct
Correct. Memory-optimized families are intended for workloads where RAM is more important than raw CPU throughput.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Azure VM families are optimized for different workloads.
- ✓
Choose a size with at least 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM.
- ✗
Choose a burstable B-series size to lower cost.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Burstable SKUs are for light or variable workloads and usually have poor memory-to-CPU balance for analytics.
- ✗
Pick a compute-optimized F-series size because CPU use is only moderate.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Compute-optimized sizes favor CPU-bound work, not memory-heavy analytics engines.
- ✗
Select the smallest VM size that supports managed disks.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Disk compatibility does not address the stated CPU and memory needs of the workload.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume a moderate CPU workload automatically calls for a compute-optimized SKU (F-series), ignoring the memory-heavy requirement that necessitates a memory-optimized family.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Memory-optimized VM families like the E-series use Intel Xeon processors and provide up to 12 GiB of RAM per vCPU, ideal for in-memory analytics or large database workloads. Under the hood, Azure allocates dedicated memory pages and NUMA nodes to ensure low latency for memory-intensive processes, which burstable B-series cannot guarantee due to CPU credit throttling. In a real-world scenario, an analytics engine like SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) would fail to load large datasets into memory if the VM lacks sufficient RAM, even if vCPU count is adequate.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Azure VM families are optimized for different workloads.
- Memory-optimized VMs (e.g., E-series, M-series) have high memory-to-CPU ratios.
- Burstable B-series VMs are for light, variable workloads and are not suitable for sustained, memory-heavy tasks.
- Compute-optimized VMs (e.g., F-series) prioritize CPU performance over memory.
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
Azure VM families are optimized for different workloads.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review azure VM families are optimized for different workloads., then practise related AZ-104 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-104 question test?
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — This question tests Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — Azure VM families are optimized for different workloads..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Select a memory-optimized VM family. — Option A is correct because the workload is memory heavy, and memory-optimized VM families (e.g., E-series) are designed with a higher memory-to-vCPU ratio to handle such workloads efficiently. Option B is correct because the requirement explicitly states 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM, so selecting a size that meets these exact specifications is necessary, regardless of family, as long as it is not burstable.
What should I do if I get this AZ-104 question wrong?
Review azure VM families are optimized for different workloads., then practise related AZ-104 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Azure VM families are optimized for different workloads.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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