Abstract: An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a nearest neighbor search circuit to perform a search according to a first stage search and a second stage search. The nearest neighbor search circuit includes a first stage circuit and a second stage circuit. The first stage search circuit includes a hash logic circuit and a content addressable memory. The hash logic circuit is to generate a hash word from a input query vector. The hash word has B bands. The content addressable memory is to store hashes of a random access memory's data items. The hashes each have B bands. The content addressable memory is to compare the hashes against the hash word on a sequential band-by-band basis. The second stage circuit char the random access memory and a compare and sort circuit. The compare and sort circuit is to receive the input query vector. The random access memory has crosswise bit lines coupled to the compare and sort circuit.