Intel® Streaming SIMD Extensions Technology

Last Reviewed: 25-Jul-2017
Article ID: 000005779

What are Intel® Streaming SIMD Extensions?

  • Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD)
  • Intel® Streaming SIMD Extensions (Intel® SSE)

Streaming SIMD Extensions (SSE)

SSE is a processor technology that enables single instruction multiple data. Older processors only process a single data element per instruction. SSE enables the instruction to handle multiple data elements. It is used in intensive applications, such as 3D graphics, for faster processing.


Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 (SSE2)

SSE2 extends the MMX Technology and SSE technology with the addition of 144 instructions that deliver performance increases across a broad range of applications. The SIMD integer instructions introduced with MMX technology have been extended from 64 to 128 bits, doubling the effective execution rate of SIMD integer type operations.

Double-precision floating point SIMD instructions allow simultaneous execution of two floating-point operations in the SIMD format This support for double-precision operations helps accelerate content creation, financial, engineering, and scientific applications.

Original SSE instructions are also enhanced to support a flexible and higher dynamic range of computational power by supporting arithmetic operations on multiple data types (for example, double words and quad words). SSE2 instructions allow software developers maximum flexibility to implement algorithms and provide performance enhancements when running software such as MPEG-2, MP3, 3D graphics, and more.

Streaming SIMD Extensions 3 (SSE3)


Streaming SIMD Extensions 4 (SSE4)
