- A
E8as_v5
This size provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of memory, matching the workload requirement closely.
- B
E8ds_v5
This size also provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of memory, making it an appropriate fit.
- C
D8as_v5
Why wrong: This is a smaller general-purpose size and does not provide enough memory for the workload.
- D
F8s_v2
Why wrong: This family emphasizes compute density but falls short of the required memory capacity.
- E
M8ms
Why wrong: This is a much larger memory-optimized size than needed and would overspend for the scenario.
Question 1,165 of 1,170
Selecting Azure VM Size with Local SSD Cache
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. 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. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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 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.
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
E8ds_v5
Why this is correct
This size also provides 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of memory, making it an appropriate fit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
This is a much larger memory-optimized size than needed and would overspend for the scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure VM series are categorized by workload: E-series (memory-optimized) uses Intel Xeon Platinum processors and offers a higher memory-to-core ratio (8 GiB per vCPU in E8as_v5), while D-series (general-purpose) offers 4 GiB per vCPU. The 'as' suffix indicates the VM uses AMD EPYC processors and includes local temporary storage (SSD), which is critical for cache workloads; the 'ds' variant also includes local temp disk but uses Intel processors. The E8ds_v5 is also correct as it provides the same vCPU and memory specs with local temp disk, just on Intel hardware, giving two valid options.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this AZ-104 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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 (memory-optimized) VM family is designed for memory-intensive workloads, offering a high memory-to-CPU ratio. With a requirement of at least 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB of RAM, the E-series provides the necessary memory capacity (e.g., E8s_v3 offers 8 vCPUs and 64 GiB RAM) as a reasonable starting point for a memory-heavy reporting application.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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