An apparatus is described that includes an execution unit within an instruction pipeline. The execution unit has multiple stages of a circuit that includes a) and b) as follows: a) a first logic circuitry section having multiple mix logic sections each having: i) a first input to receive a first quad word and a second input to receive a second quad word; ii) an adder having a pair of inputs that are respectively coupled to the first and second inputs; iii) a rotator having a respective input coupled to the second input; iv) an XOR gate having a first input coupled to an output of the adder and a second input coupled to an output of the rotator. b) permute logic circuitry having inputs coupled to the respective adder and XOR gate outputs of the multiple mix logic sections.