SQL Error on 'Create Table' - response (8) by VandeBergB

Hi! 
The "order by" isn't executed until the entire set has been generated.  
Sorting doesn't occur until the query execution has completed.  I'm not sure about your statement that the "..all-amp operation as NUSI", if the NUSI is being used you should see a reference to "Index#4" or a multiple of four if there are multiple NUSI's on a table.  If you don't see that in the explain plan, you can drop your NUSI and save some I/O overhead.
The data is "assembled" from all of the participating amps and then sorted.
 
hope that helps...