Abstract: A method includes allocating a first single-cycle instruction to a first pipeline that picks single-cycle instructions for execution in program order. The method further includes marking at least one source register of the first single-cycle instruction as ready for execution in the first pipeline in response to all older single-cycle instructions allocated to the first pipeline being ready and eligible to be picked for execution. An apparatus includes a decoder to decode a first single-cycle instruction and to allocate the first single-cycle instruction to a first pipeline. The apparatus further includes a scheduler to pick single-cycle instructions for execution by the first pipeline in program order and to mark at least one source register of the first single-cycle instruction as ready for execution in the first pipeline in response to determining that all older single-cycle instructions allocated to the first pipeline are ready and eligible.

Abstract: A method includes allocating a first single-cycle instruction to a first pipeline that picks single-cycle instructions for execution in program order. The method further includes marking at least one source register of the first single-cycle instruction as ready for execution in the first pipeline in response to all older single-cycle instructions allocated to the first pipeline being ready and eligible to be picked for execution. An apparatus includes a decoder to decode a first single-cycle instruction and to allocate the first single-cycle instruction to a first pipeline. The apparatus further includes a scheduler to pick single-cycle instructions for execution by the first pipeline in program order and to mark at least one source register of the first single-cycle instruction as ready for execution in the first pipeline in response to determining that all older single-cycle instructions allocated to the first pipeline are ready and eligible.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for increased efficiency in a processor via control word prediction. The apparatus comprises an operational unit capable of determining whether an instruction will change a first control word to a second control word for processing dependent instructions. Execution units process the dependent instructions using a predicted control word and compare the second control word to the predicted control word. A scheduling unit causes the execution units to reprocess the dependent instructions when the predicted control word does not match the second control word. The method comprises determining that an instruction will change a first control word to a second control word and processing the dependent instructions using a predicted control word. The second control word is compared to the predicted control word and the dependent instructions are reprocessed using the second control word when the predicted control word does not match the second control word.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. An apparatus is provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. The apparatus comprises an execution unit for processing instructions and determining whether a later issued instruction is ready for completion or an earlier issued instruction is ready for completion and a retire unit for retiring the later issued instruction when the later instruction is ready for completion or to retire the earlier instruction when later instruction is not ready for completion and the earlier issued instruction has a known good completion status. A method is provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. The method comprises completing an earlier issued instruction having a known good completion status ahead of a later issued instruction when the later issued instruction is not ready for completion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. An apparatus is provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. The apparatus comprises an execution unit for processing instructions and determining whether a later issued instruction is ready for completion or an earlier issued instruction is ready for completion and a retire unit for retiring the later issued instruction when the later instruction is ready for completion or to retire the earlier instruction when later instruction is not ready for completion and the earlier issued instruction has a known good completion status. A method is provided for increased efficiency in a processor via early instruction completion. The method comprises completing an earlier issued instruction having a known good completion status ahead of a later issued instruction when the later issued instruction is not ready for completion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for increased efficiency in a processor via control word prediction. The apparatus comprises an operational unit capable of determining whether an instruction will change a first control word to a second control word for processing dependent instructions. Execution units process the dependent instructions using a predicted control word and compare the second control word to the predicted control word. A scheduling unit causes the execution units to reprocess the dependent instructions when the predicted control word does not match the second control word. The method comprises determining that an instruction will change a first control word to a second control word and processing the dependent instructions using a predicted control word. The second control word is compared to the predicted control word and the dependent instructions are reprocessed using the second control word when the predicted control word does not match the second control word.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for increased efficiency and enhanced power saving in a processor via scalar code optimization. The method comprises determining that an instruction comprises a scalar instruction and then processing the instruction using only a lower portion of an XMM register. The apparatus comprises an operational unit capable of determining whether an instruction comprises a scalar instruction and execution units responsive that determining for processing the scalar instruction using only a lower portion of an XMM register of the processor. By not processing the upper portion of the XMM register efficiency is increased and power saving is enhanced.

Abstract: A method of performing a fast information compare within a processor which includes performing a more significant bit compare when information is loaded into a translation lookaside buffer, storing a result of the more significant bit compare within the translation lookaside buffer as part of an entry containing the information, and using the result of the more significant bit compare in conjunction with results from a compare of less significant bits of the information and less significant bits of compare information to determine whether a match is present. The more significant bit compare compares more significant bits of the information being loaded into the translation lookaside buffer with more significant bits of compare information.