Abstract: A method for arbitrating conflicting requests for a memory transfer in a multiport memory system including first and second memory ports. The method includes the following steps. First, monitoring the volume of memory transfer requests from the first memory port. Second, partially disabling the second memory port if the memory request volume is greater than a first predetermined volume. And third, reenabling the second memory port when the memory request volume becomes less than a second predetermined volume. Apparatus implementing this method which includes an activity detector, coupled to the first memory port, for generating a bistate signal having a first state when the volume of memory requests by the first memory port exceeds a first predetermined volume and a second state otherwise. Circuits are provided for selectively partially disabling memory requests from the second memory port in response to the bistate signal being in the second state.