SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING THE ABSOLUTE DIFFERENCE OF UNSIGNED VALUES

In a computer system storing a first packed data and a second packed data having corresponding data elements where the data elements representing unsigned values having a system for determining the absolute difference of the corresponding data elements. The system comprising the steps of subtracting with saturation the data elements in the first packed data from the corresponding data elements in the second packed data to generate a third packed data in response to a first instruction, subtracting with saturation the data elements in the second packed data from the corresponding data elements in the first packed data to generate a fourth packed data in response to a second instruction and performing an operation to select the data elements of the third packed data and the fourth packed data of greatest value to generate a fifth packed data in response to a third instruction.