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+
+# Building a GPU workstation
+
+The GPU is one of the most important choices when building a deep learning machine. Tensor cores handle matrix multiplication efficiently, and high memory bandwidth keeps data flowing. Training large models requires a more powerful GPU, multiple GPUs, or offloading techniques that move work to the CPU or NVMe.
+
+The tips below cover practical GPU setup for deep learning.
+
+## Power
+
+High-end consumer GPUs may have two or three PCIe 8-pin power sockets. Connect a separate 12V PCIe 8-pin cable to each socket. Don't use a *pigtail cable* (a single cable with two splits at one end) to connect two sockets, otherwise, you won't get full performance from the GPU.
+
+Connect each PCIe 8-pin power cable to a 12V rail on the power supply unit (PSU). Each cable delivers up to 150W. Some GPUs use a PCIe 12-pin connector that delivers up to 500-600W. Lower-end GPUs may use a PCIe 6-pin connector that supplies up to 75W.
+
+A PSU must maintain stable voltage because unstable voltage can starve the GPU of power during peak usage.
+
+## Cooling
+
+An overheated GPU throttles performance and shuts down to prevent damage. Keep temperatures between 158–167°F (70–75 Celsius) for full performance and a longer lifespan. Above 183–194°F (84–90 Celsius), the GPU usually starts throttling.
+
+## Multi-GPU connectivity
+
+How your GPUs connect matters for multi-GPU setups. [NVLink](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/design-visualization/nvlink-bridges/) connections are faster than PCIe bridges, but the impact depends on your parallelism strategy. DDP has less GPU-to-GPU communication than ZeRO, so connection speed matters less.
+
+Run the command below to check how your GPUs are connected.
+
+```bash
+nvidia-smi topo -m
+```
+
+<hfoptions id="nvlink">
+<hfoption id="NVLink">
+
+[NVLink](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/design-visualization/nvlink-bridges/) is NVIDIA's high-speed communication system for connecting multiple GPUs.
+
+```bash
+        GPU0    GPU1    CPU Affinity    NUMA Affinity
+GPU0     X      NV2     0-23            N/A
+GPU1    NV2      X      0-23            N/A
+```
+
+`NV2` indicates `GPU0` and `GPU1` are connected by 2 NVLinks.
+
+</hfoption>
+<hfoption id="PCIe bridge">
+
+```bash
+        GPU0    GPU1    CPU Affinity    NUMA Affinity
+GPU0     X      PHB     0-11            N/A
+GPU1    PHB      X      0-11            N/A
+```
+
+`PHB` indicates `GPU0` and `GPU1` are connected by a PCIe bridge.
+
+</hfoption>
+</hfoptions>
+
+## Next steps
+
+-  See the [Which GPU(s) to Get for Deep Learning](https://timdettmers.com/2023/01/30/which-gpu-for-deep-learning/) blog post for a deeper comparison of GPUs.