Core2 Quad (S)SSE 3/4

[ocirne94]

Hello,

I use a Core2 Quad Q9400; I couldn't manage to find out wheter it supports SSE4 or SSSE3; can somebody tell me this?
Ocirne

[knutjohnsen · Accepted solution]

Hi, you can look here: http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=28398 and look up your CPU.

Looking at the datasheet, you will find this information!

It's here: http://download.intel.com/design/processor/datashts/318726.pdf and on page 11 it states that it does indeed support SSSE3 and SSE4.1.

With regards.

Knut Johnsen

[levicki]

The easiest way to figure that out is by using CPU-Z utility which you can download from www.cpuid.com if you are using Windows or by looking at /proc/cpuinfo under if you are using Linux.

If I remember correctly, Q9xxx series are based on Penryn 45nm core so they should support SSE4.1.

[ocirne94]

Hello all,

thank you very much for your answers.

I just have another little doubt: does SSE4.1 instruction set include also SSSE3 instructions?

Thanks,

Ocirne

[TimP]

Yes, both SSE4.1 and 4.2 include SSSE3 instructions. However, compilers for SSE4.2 should avoid use of certain SSSE3 instructions, such as PALIGNR, in contexts where they were effective on the first CPUs which supported SSSE3.

I guess some of the architectural changes needed to support SSE4 inherently reduced the dependence on PALIGNR for efficiency.