Abstract: A method and apparatus for open loop buffer allocation. In one embodiment, the method includes loading requested data within a buffer according to a load rate. Concurrent with the loading of data within the buffer, the data is forwarded from the buffer according to drain rate. In situations where the load rate exceeds the drain rate, read requests may be throttled according to an approximate buffer capacity level to prohibit buffer overflow. In one embodiment, a rate for issuing data requests, for example, to memory, is regulated according to a predetermined buffer accumulation rate. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the open loop allocation scheme reduces latency while enabling sustained read streaming with a minimal size read buffer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.