The effect of heating history, such as those related with standard heat treatment, hot isostatic pressing (HIP), coating and brazing thermal processes, on the microstructure and creep properties (at 760 ^oC/790 MPa and 980 ^oC/248 MPa) of a first generation nickel-based single crystal superalloy DD413 was investigated. The results show that the microstructure and creep behavior of nickel-based single crystal superalloy DD413 are significantly affected by different thermal processes. Compared with the standard heat treatment, HIP reduces the size of γʹ and γ channel, but increases the volume fraction of γʹ phase. Meanwhile, micro-pores in the alloy are effectively eliminated by HIP, which improves the creep life. The coating thermal process preparation can coarsen the γʹ and γ channel, reduce the volume fraction of γʹ phase, and delay the rafting kinetics of γʹ phase at high temperature, therewith, reduce the creep property of the alloy. The brazing thermal process not only causes the coarsening of γ′ phase but also destroys the cubic degree of γ′ phase, leading to significant reduction in creep property of the alloy.