Based on two-dimensional(2D) rigid-plastic finite element(FE) method, the optimum observation area for metallographic microstructure and the influence of the height–diameter ratio on which were analyzed for the cylindrical samples with the diameter of 8 mm and different heights from 8 to 16 mm in nonuniform compressive experiments. It is shown that the representative metallographic observation area relevant to the applied deformation condition is located at about 0.835 of the radius from the center of the sample to the solder joint between the sample and the thermocouples. At the same time, the microstructure in that area is more appropriate as the height of the sample is 12 mm. The related parameters of GH4033 superalloy were adopted in the FE analysis, and the validity of this analysis was verified by the compressive experiments. Based on two-dimensional (2D) rigid-plastic finite element (FE) method, the optimum observation area for metallographic microstructure and the influence of the height-diameter ratio which were analyzed for the cylindrical samples with the diameter of 8 mm and different heights from 8 to 16 mm in nonuniform compressive experiments. It is shown that the representative metallographic observation area relevant to the applied deformation condition is located at about 0.835 of the radius from the center of the sample to the solder joint between the sample and the thermocouples At the same time, the microstructure in that area is more appropriate as the height of the sample is 12 mm. The related parameters of GH4033 superalloy were adopted in the FE analysis, and the validity of this analysis was verified by the compressive experiments.