Abstract: Cache sharing for a chip multiprocessor. In one embodiment, a disclosed apparatus includes multiple processor cores, each having an associated cache. A control mechanism is provided to allow sharing between caches that are associated with individual processor cores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shared cache coherency for a chip multiprocessor or a multiprocessor system. In one embodiment, a multicore processor includes a plurality of processor cores, each having a private cache, and a shared cache. An internal snoop bus is coupled to each private cache and the shared cache to communicate data from each private cache to other private caches and the shared cache. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of processor cores and a plurality of caches. One of the plurality of caches maintains cache lines in two different modified states. The first modified state indicates a most recent copy of a modified cache line, and the second modified state indicates a stale copy of the modified cache line.

Abstract: An electronic device that has an integrated central processing unit (CPU) including a pre-fetch stride analyzer and an out-of-order engine is provided. The electronic device also has a graphics engine, having graphics memory, that is coupled to the integrated CPU. A main memory that is coupled to a memory controller is provided. The memory controller is also coupled to the CPU and the graphics engine. The device has a host address decoder coupled to the integrated CPU. A front side bus (FSB) is provided that is coupled to the integrated CPU and the host address decoder. Also provided is a plurality of memory components. Accordingly, either the plurality of memory components or the graphics memory can be shared to perform alternate memory functions. Additionally, a method is provided that determines allocation availability between memory components in an integrated computer processing unit.

Abstract: A request hint is issued prior to or while identifying whether requested data and/or one or more instructions are in a first memory. A second memory is accessed to fetch data and/or one or more instructions in response to the request hint. The data and/or instruction(s) accessed from the second memory are stored in a buffer. If the requested data and/or instruction(s) are not in the first memory, the data and/or instruction(s) are returned from the buffer.

Abstract: Cache sharing for a chip multiprocessor. In one embodiment, a disclosed apparatus includes multiple processor cores, each having an associated cache. A control mechanism is provided to allow sharing between caches that are associated with individual processor cores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shared cache coherency for a chip multiprocessor or a multiprocessor system. In one embodiment, a multicore processor includes a plurality of processor cores, each having a private cache, and a shared cache. An internal snoop bus is coupled to each private cache and the shared cache to communicate data from each private cache to other private caches and the shared cache. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of processor cores and a plurality of caches. One of the plurality of caches maintains cache lines in two different modified states. The first modified state indicates a most recent copy of a modified cache line, and the second modified state indicates a stale copy of the modified cache line.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes a higher level cache, a lower level cache, a decoder to decode instructions, and a circuit coupled to the decoder. In one embodiment, the circuit, in response to a single decoded instruction, retrieves data from external memory and bypasses the lower level cache upon a higher level cache miss. In another embodiment, the circuit, in response to a first decoded instruction, issues a request to retrieve data at an address from external memory to place said data only in the lower level cache, detects a second cacheable decoded instruction to said address, and places said data in the higher level cache.

Abstract: A request hint is issued prior to or while identifying whether requested data and/or one or more instructions are in a first memory. A second memory is accessed to fetch data and/or one or more instructions in response to the request hint. The data and/or instruction(s) accessed from the second memory are stored in a buffer. If the requested data and/or instruction(s) are not in the first memory, the data and/or instruction(s) are returned from the buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for cache sharing. The system is a microprocessor comprising a processor core and a graphics engine, each coupled to a cache memory. The microprocessor also includes a driver to direct how the cache memory is shared by the processor core and the graphics engine. The method comprises receiving a memory request from a graphics application program and determining whether a cache memory that may be shared between a processor core and a cache memory is available to be shared. If the cache memory is available to be shared, a first portion of the cache memory is allocated to the processor core and a second portion of the cache memory is allocated to the graphics engine. The method and microprocessor may be included in a computing device.