Abstract: A computer system includes a mirrored memory system, in which each bank is coupled to a different channel from the one or more microprocessors included in the computer system. Each microprocessor is coupled to a fetch channel for performing fetch operations from one of the mirrored memory banks within the computer system. Additionally, each microprocessor is coupled to a prefetch channel for performing prefetch operations from a different one of the mirrored memory banks. In multiprocessor configurations, the microprocessors may share the fetch channel and/or the prefetch channel, or may be provided with separate channels for either fetch or prefetch operations. Prefetch operations do not interfere with fetch operations from the same microprocessor. Additionally, prefetch operations are not preempted by fetch operations (except for write operations which update all memory banks, if the memory banks do not include write queues).