Azure VM Sizes: 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB RAM Options for Memory-Heavy Workloads
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.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is Standard_E8s_v5 and Standard_M8ms, as both provide at least 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM for memory-heavy workloads. The E8s_v5 is a memory-optimized size with a balanced memory-to-core ratio, ideal for reporting applications that need consistent performance, while the M8ms offers even more memory headroom for short spikes without dropping below the requirement. On the AZ-104 exam, this tests your ability to match workload demands to the right Azure VM series, specifically distinguishing between memory-optimized (E-series) and memory-intensive (M-series) families. A common trap is choosing a general-purpose size like the D8s_v5, which meets the vCPU count but lacks the memory-to-core ratio for sustained memory-bound tasks. Remember the tip: “E for Efficient memory, M for Massive memory”—E-series fits exact minimums, M-series provides extra headroom for spikes.
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often overlook the RAM requirement and select sizes like Standard_D8s_v5 or Standard_B8ms because they see '8 vCPUs' and assume the RAM is sufficient, but the D-series and B-series provide only 32 GiB of RAM, not the required 64 GiB.
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
✓
Standard_E8s_v5
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Standard_E8s_v5
Why this is correct
Meets the requirement exactly with 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of memory.
- ✗
Standard_D8s_v5
Why it's wrong here
Has 8 vCPUs, but it provides only 32 GiB of memory.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct for a question requiring at least 8 vCPUs and 32 GiB of RAM, with a need for balanced compute and memory for general-purpose workloads.
- ✗
Standard_F8s_v2
Why it's wrong here
Provides 8 vCPUs, but the memory amount is far below 64 GiB.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct for a question requiring at least 8 vCPUs and 16 GiB of RAM for a compute-intensive batch processing workload that needs high CPU performance but minimal memory.
- ✓
Standard_M8ms
Why this is correct
Meets the requirement and adds substantial memory headroom for growth.
- ✗
Standard_B8ms
Why it's wrong here
Is burstable and memory-limited, so it is not a steady reporting fit.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct for a question asking for a cost-effective VM for a development/test environment with intermittent usage, where the workload can tolerate lower baseline performance and benefits from burst credits during short spikes.
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.
✓Standard_E8s_v5Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Meets the requirement exactly with 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of memory.
✗Standard_D8s_v5Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The Standard_D8s_v5 has 8 vCPUs and 32 GiB of RAM, which does not meet the 64 GiB RAM requirement.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct for a question requiring at least 8 vCPUs and 32 GiB of RAM, with a need for balanced compute and memory for general-purpose workloads.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume the 'D' series offers sufficient memory because it is a general-purpose series, but they overlook that the specific size has only 32 GiB RAM.
✗Standard_F8s_v2Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The Standard_F8s_v2 has 8 vCPUs but only 16 GiB of RAM, which is far below the required 64 GiB. It is a compute-optimized VM, not memory-optimized.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct for a question requiring at least 8 vCPUs and 16 GiB of RAM for a compute-intensive batch processing workload that needs high CPU performance but minimal memory.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may see 'F' for 'Fast' and assume it meets high-performance requirements, or they overlook the RAM requirement and focus only on vCPUs.
✗Standard_B8msWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The Standard_B8ms is a burstable VM series designed for workloads with low average CPU usage but occasional spikes. It does not guarantee sustained performance of 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB RAM, and its baseline CPU performance is lower than required for a reporting application needing consistent resources.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct for a question asking for a cost-effective VM for a development/test environment with intermittent usage, where the workload can tolerate lower baseline performance and benefits from burst credits during short spikes.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may see '8ms' and assume it meets the vCPU and RAM requirements (8 vCPUs, 64 GiB RAM) without understanding that the B-series is burstable and not suitable for sustained workloads.
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 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.
Variation 2. 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.
hard- ✓ A.E8as_v5
- ✓ B.E8ds_v5
- C.D8as_v5
- D.F8s_v2
- E.M8ms
Why A: 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.
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.