Abstract: A compute unit configured to execute multiple threads in parallel is presented. The compute unit includes one or more single instruction multiple data (SIMD) units and a fetch and decode logic. The SIMD units have differing numbers of arithmetic logic units (ALUs), such that each SIMD unit can execute a different number of threads. The fetch and decode logic is in communication with each of the SIMD units, and is configured to assign the threads to the SIMD units for execution based on such differing numbers of ALUs.

Abstract: A system may determine that a processor has powered up. The system may determine a first prefetching policy based on determining that the processor has powered up. The system may fetch information, from a main memory and for storage by a cache associated with the processor, using the first prefetching policy. The system may determine, after fetching information using the first prefetching policy, to apply a second prefetching policy that is different than the first prefetching policy. The system may fetch information, from the main memory and for storage by the cache, using the second prefetching policy.

Abstract: Application performance data that indicates a level of service provided in executing one or more applications is determined in software running on one or more processor cores in a computing system that executes the one or more applications. The application performance data is provided to a controller in the computing system that is distinct from the one or more processor cores.

Abstract: A method includes emptying a first region of a dynamic random access memory of data by moving data from the first region to a non-volatile memory and reducing a refresh rate of the dynamic random access memory responsive to emptying the first region of data. A system includes a memory controller to refresh a dynamic random access memory based on a configurable refresh rate, the dynamic random access memory having a plurality of regions, each region having an associated minimum refresh rate, and a processing unit to empty a first region of the plurality of regions of the dynamic random access memory by moving data from the first region to a non-volatile memory and to reduce the configurable refresh rate responsive to emptying the first region.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently performing program instrumentation. A processor processes instructions stored in a memory. The processor allocates a memory region for the purpose of creating “random branches” in the computer code utilizing existing memory access instructions. When the processor processes a given instruction, the processor both accesses a first location in the memory region and may determine a condition is satisfied. In response, the processor generates an interrupt. The corresponding interrupt handler may transfer control flow from the computer program to instrumentation code. The condition may include a pointer storing an address pointing to locations within the memory region equals a given address after the point is updated. Alternatively, the condition may include an updated data value stored in a location pointed to by the given address equals a threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently performing program instrumentation. A processor processes instructions stored in a memory. When the processor processes a given instruction of a given instruction type, the processor updates a corresponding performance counter. When the performance counter reaches a threshold, the processor generates an interrupt and compares a location of the given instruction with stored locations in a given list. If a match is not found, then the processor processes an instruction following the given instruction in the computer program without processing intermediate instrumentation code. If a match is found, then the processor processes instrumentation code. Regardless of whether or not the instrumentation code is processed, when control flow returns to the computer program, the corresponding performance counter is initialized with a random value.