[MetalMan]

A.

The way I see it, four groups of two (4x 1s2p) is better than eight groups of one (4s1p x 2). Each of the cells in the 2p groups are paired up with another cell, and stay that way. In 2x 4s1p, none of the cells are paired up, so they aren't averaged out. Like with 1s2p x 4 the cells in the 2p pairs are "averaged" out with another cell.
It's hard for me to explain through words. If you don't understand what I am trying to say, then I can further clarify.