SIMD Defined

• The SIMD architecture performs an identical action simultaneously on multiple data pieces. This single action can include retrieving, calculating or storing information. An example is retrieving a lot of different files at the same time. Processors with local memory containing different data execute the same instruction in a synchronized fashion, with inter-processor communication for shift allocation.

MIMD Defined

• The MIMD architecture performs multiple different actions simultaneously on multiple data pieces. An example is the performance of various mathematical calculations such as addition and multiplication simultaneously in order to solve a complex math problem with many separate components. MIMD computing may or may not be synchronized and is increasing more commonly than SIMD computing.

"SIMD, which stands for 'single instruction, multiple data,' is a process that allows the CPU to receive a single instruction and then execute it on multiple pieces of data rather than receiving the same instruction each time each piece of data is received."

(Pg. 434, A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC)