Graphics Core Next (GCN) is a microarchitecture developed by AMD for its graphics processing units (GPUs). Introduced in 2011, GCN was designed to improve performance and efficiency in rendering graphics and performing parallel computations. It supports advanced features like DirectX 11 and OpenCL, making it suitable for gaming and professional applications. GCN architecture allows for better handling of multiple tasks simultaneously, enhancing the overall user experience. It utilizes a unified shader model, which means that the same processing units can handle different types of workloads, such as graphics rendering and general-purpose computing, leading to improved versatility and performance.