Abstract: An instruction alignment unit includes a byte queue configured to store instruction blocks. Each instruction block includes a fixed number of instruction bytes and identifies up to a maximum number of instructions within the fixed number of instruction bytes. Additionally, the instruction alignment unit is configured to form a pair of instruction lists: a dispatch list and a latch list. The dispatch list includes instruction locators corresponding to instructions within the instruction blocks stored in the byte queue. Additionally, the first three instructions from instructions blocks being received from the instruction cache during a particular clock cycle are appended to the dispatch list. The dispatch list is used to select instructions from the byte queue for dispatch to the decode units. The latch list is used for receiving instruction locators for the remaining instructions from the instruction blocks received from the instruction cache during the particular clock cycle.