VSX AltiVec Power7 Power8 Vector Units

VSX/AltiVec is the Power Vector unit. This is similar to the x86 SSE/SSE2/SSSE3/AVX/AVX512. These units normally require compiler assistance looking at code, intrinsic, or inline assembly.

Compiler Notes

xlf/xlc

gcc/gfortran

Porting

Assembly code will require a lot of effort to port and detailed understanding. Code without intrinsic or assembly is left to the compiler if vector code will be generated or not.

Intrinsic can normally be swapped out for a matching VSX intrinsic. See:

• veclib compatibility library
• Intel SSE to PowerPC AltiVec Migration