1. A neural network comprising: a plurality of synaptic weighting elements organized in a first set and a second set, each having a respective programmable conductance, each of the synaptic weighting elements having a respective synaptic input connection for receiving an input signal and an output connection; a neuron stage coupled to the synaptic weighting elements; a conductance comparing circuit within the neuron stage, the conductance comparing circuit comparing the conductance of the first set of synaptic weighting elements to the conductance of the second set of synaptic weighting elements and outputting an indication of which set has the higher conductance without determining the conductance values; and a latch stage coupled to the neuron stage to digitize the outputted indication.