Making LLMs Optimize Multi-Scenario CUDA Kernels Like Experts
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Abstract (arXiv)
Optimizing GPU kernels manually is a challenging and time-consuming task. With the rapid development of LLMs, automated GPU kernel optimization is gradually becoming a tangible reality. However, current LLM-driven automated optimization methods narrowly focus on machine learning applications, such as PyTorch operator optimization, while overlooking broader domains like sparse matrix operations in scientific computing. Extending to these broader applications brings new challenges for the benchmark and algorithm. Therefore, developing a general-purpose automated kernel optimization method becomes our primary focus. In this paper, we address the absence of systematic evaluation for multi-scenario settings by introducing MSKernelBench, which spans multiple scenarios, including fundamental algebraic operations, common LLM kernels, sparse matrix operators, and scientific computing routines, each supporting both FP32 and BF16 precision. Building on this benchmark, we introduce CUDAMaster, a multi-agent, hardware-aware system for kernel optimization that leverages profiling information and automatically constructs the full compilation and execution toolchain. Experimental results demonstrate that CUDAMaster achieves significant speedups across most operators, outperforming Astra by about 35%. In several cases, its performance matches or surpasses that of highly optimized, closed-source libraries such as cuBLAS. A demo showcasing the original and optimized code for each operator is available at https://hanyx2021.github.io/MSKernelBenchDemo/.
Key facts. Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 13 of its 23 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 7 Mar 2026.
Builds on
13 of 23 references.
References · 13
- 2019PyTorch: An Imperative Style, High-Performance Deep Learning Librarycited by 20,305
- 2023SGLang: Efficient Execution of Structured Language Model Programscited by 1,141
- 2014cuDNN: Efficient Primitives for Deep Learningcited by 245
- 2025KernelBench: Can LLMs Write Efficient GPU Kernels?cited by 225
- 2020Ansor: Generating High-Performance Tensor Programs for Deep Learningcited by 201
- 2025Kevin: Multi-Turn RL for Generating CUDA Kernelscited by 78
- 2025TritonBench: Benchmarking Large Language Model Capabilities for Generating Triton Operatorscited by 75
- 2025CUDA-L1: Improving CUDA Optimization via Contrastive Reinforcement Learningcited by 61
- 2025Towards Robust Agentic CUDA Kernel Benchmarking, Verification, and Optimizationcited by 56
- 2025CudaForge: An Agent Framework with Hardware Feedback for CUDA Kernel Optimizationcited by 45
- 2025MultiKernelBench: A Multi-Platform Benchmark for Kernel Generationcited by 38
- 2025CUDA-LLM: LLMs Can Write Efficient CUDA Kernelscited by 34
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Citing papers per year: 2026: 4.
4 papers.
- 2026Optimizing CUDA like a Human: Micro-Profiling Tools as Expert Surrogates for LLM-Based GPU Kernel Optimizationcited by 4
- 2026HTAM: Hierarchical Transition-Attended Memory for Operator Optimizationcited by 2
- 2026AdaptiveLoad: Towards Efficient Video Diffusion Transformer Trainingcited by 0
- 2026D2K-Bench: Can LLM Agents Turn Expert Designs into Efficient GPU Kernels?cited by 0
- 2026D2K-Bench: Can LLM Agents Turn Expert Designs into Efficient GPU Kernels?2 Oct 2026
- 2026Optimizing CUDA like a Human: Micro-Profiling Tools as Expert Surrogates for LLM-Based GPU Kernel Optimization24 Jun 2026
- 2026HTAM: Hierarchical Transition-Attended Memory for Operator Optimization28 May 2026
- 2026AdaptiveLoad: Towards Efficient Video Diffusion Transformer Training18 May 2026