A computer implemented method for speeding up execution of a convex optimization operation one or more quadratic complexity operations to be performed by an analog crossbar hardware switch, and identifying one or more linear complexity operations to be performed by a CPU. At least one of the quadratic complexity operations is performed by the analog crossbar hardware, and at least one of the linear complexity operations is performed by the CPU. An iteration of an approximation of a solution to the convex optimization operation is updated by the CPU.