Set Up GPU for MATLAB

Set Up GPU for MATLAB

Detect whether a compatible GPU is available, validate it works, and diagnose common failure modes.

When to Use

• User wants to check if their system can run GPU code in MATLAB
• User gets errors when calling gpuDevice or gpuArray
• User wants to set up or select a specific GPU in a multi-GPU system
• User needs to troubleshoot why GPU computing isn't working
• As a prerequisite check before any GPU-accelerated workflow

When NOT to Use

• Writing or optimizing GPU-accelerated code — this skill only detects and diagnoses GPU availability
• Monitoring GPU memory or utilization during computation — use gpuDevice properties directly or NVIDIA tools
• Distributing work across multiple GPUs with parallel pools — use parpool workflows

Conventions

• Use MATLAB-native APIs (canUseGPU, gpuDeviceTable, gpuDevice) for detection and properties — reserve nvidia-smi for information MATLAB cannot provide
• Prefer canUseGPU over gpuDeviceCount == 0 or isempty(gpuDeviceTable) for availability checks — canUseGPU also verifies licensing and toolbox state
• If recommending a driver update, fetch the GPU Computing Requirements documentation page for the user's MATLAB release to check the driver selection policy

Workflow

1. Is a GPU available?

canUseGPU

Returns true if PCT is installed, licensed, GPU support is present, and a device is available. If true, proceed to step 3 (list available devices).

2. If canUseGPU returns false — diagnose

validateGPU("all")