Abstract: Embodiments of an invention a processor architecture are disclosed. In an embodiment, a processor includes a decoder, an execution unit, a coherent cache, and an interconnect. The decoder is to decode an instruction to zero a cache line. The execution unit is to issue a write command to initiate a cache line sized write of zeros. The coherent cache is to receive the write command, to determine whether there is a hit in the coherent cache and whether a cache coherency protocol state of the hit cache line is a modified state or an exclusive state, to configure a cache line to indicate all zeros, and to issue the write command toward the interconnect. The interconnect is to, responsive to receipt of the write command, issue a snoop to each of a plurality of other coherent caches for which it must be determined if there is a hit.

Abstract: Embodiments of an invention a processor architecture are disclosed. In an embodiment, a processor includes a decoder, an execution unit, a coherent cache, and an interconnect. The decoder is to decode an instruction to zero a cache line. The execution unit is to issue a write command to initiate a cache line sized write of zeros. The coherent cache is to receive the write command, to determine whether there is a hit in the coherent cache and whether a cache coherency protocol state of the hit cache line is a modified state or an exclusive state, to configure a cache line to indicate all zeros, and to issue the write command toward the interconnect. The interconnect is to, responsive to receipt of the write command, issue a snoop to each of a plurality of other coherent caches for which it must be determined if there is a hit.

Abstract: Embodiments of an invention a processor architecture are disclosed. In an embodiment, a processor includes a decoder, an execution unit, a coherent cache, and an interconnect. The decoder is to decode an instruction to zero a cache line. The execution unit is to issue a write command to initiate a cache line sized write of zeros. The coherent cache is to receive the write command, to determine whether there is a hit in the coherent cache and whether a cache coherency protocol state of the hit cache line is a modified state or an exclusive state, to configure a cache line to indicate all zeros, and to issue the write command toward the interconnect. The interconnect is to, responsive to receipt of the write command, issue a snoop to each of a plurality of other coherent caches for which it must be determined if there is a hit.

Abstract: Embodiments of an invention a processor architecture are disclosed. In an embodiment, a processor includes a decoder, an execution unit, a coherent cache, and an interconnect. The decoder is to decode an instruction to zero a cache line. The execution unit is to issue a write command to initiate a cache line sized write of zeros. The coherent cache is to receive the write command, to determine whether there is a hit in the coherent cache and whether a cache coherency protocol state of the hit cache line is a modified state or an exclusive state, to configure a cache line to indicate all zeros, and to issue the write command toward the interconnect. The interconnect is to, responsive to receipt of the write command, issue a snoop to each of a plurality of other coherent caches for which it must be determined if there is a hit.

Abstract: Embodiments of an invention a processor architecture are disclosed. In an embodiment, a processor includes a decoder, an execution unit, a coherent cache, and an interconnect. The decoder is to decode an instruction to zero a cache line. The execution unit is to issue a write command to initiate a cache line sized write of zeros. The coherent cache is to receive the write command, to determine whether there is a hit in the coherent cache and whether a cache coherency protocol state of the hit cache line is a modified state or an exclusive state, to configure a cache line to indicate all zeros, and to issue the write command toward the interconnect. The interconnect is to, responsive to receipt of the write command, issue a snoop to each of a plurality of other coherent caches for which it must be determined if there is a hit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for converting a number from a floating point format to an integer format or from an integer format to a floating point format responsive to a control signal of a control signal format. Numbers are stored in the floating point format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a packed format. One or more numbers in the floating point format are converted to the integer format and placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in a packed format. Conversion from integer format to floating point format is performed in a similar manner. A floating point arithmetic apparatus is described that provides for converting a plurality of numbers between integer formats and a floating point formats, further providing for conversion operations that require a greater data path width than floating-point arithmetic operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for converting a number from a floating point format to an integer format or from an integer format to a floating point format responsive to a control signal of a control signal format.

Abstract: In an out-of-order execution computer system, a fast store forwarding buffer (FSFB) is conditionally signaled to output buffered store data of buffered memory store instructions to fill a buffered memory load instruction. The FSFB is coupled to a rotator so that the store data can be rotated from a first position to a second position. A control unit coupled with the FSFB determines whether or not to signal the FSFB to forward the store data. The control unit is also coupled with the rotator to signal the rotator whether and by how much to rotate the forwarded store data. The control unit is configured to detect a number of dependencies between a buffered memory load instruction and one or more buffered memory store instructions.

Abstract: A method and instruction for converting a number between a floating point format and an integer format are described. Numbers are stored in the integer format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a packed format. At least one of the numbers in the integer format is converted to at least one number in the floating point format. The numbers in the floating point format are placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in a packed format.

Abstract: A method and instruction for converting a number from a floating point format to an integer format are described. Numbers are stored in the floating point format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a packed format. At least one of the numbers in the floating point format is converted to at least one 8-bit number in the integer format. The 8-bit number in the integer format is placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in the packed format.

Abstract: A method and instruction for converting a number between a floating point format and an integer format are described. Numbers are stored in the integer format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a packed format. At least one of the numbers in the integer format is converted to at least one number in the floating point format. The numbers in the floating point format are placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in a packed format.

Abstract: A method and instruction for converting a number between a floating point format and an integer format are described. Numbers are stored in the integer format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a scalar format. At least one of the numbers in the scalar format is converted to a number in the floating point format. The number in the floating point format is placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in a packed format.

Abstract: A method and instruction for converting a number from a floating point format to an integer format are described. Numbers are stored in the floating point format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a packed format. At least one of the numbers in the floating point format is converted to at least one 8-bit number in the integer format. The 8-bit number in the integer format is placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in the packed format.

Abstract: A method and instruction for converting a number between a floating point format and an integer format are described. Numbers are stored in the integer format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a packed format. At least one of the numbers in the integer format is converted to at least one number in the floating point format. The numbers in the floating point format are placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in a packed format.

Abstract: A method and instruction for converting a number from a floating point format to an integer format are described. Numbers are stored in the floating point format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a packed format. At least one of the numbers in the floating point format is converted to at least one 8-bit number in the integer format. The 8-bit number in the integer format is placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in the packed format.

Abstract: A method and instruction for converting a number from a floating point format to an integer format are described. Numbers are stored in the floating point format in a register of a first set of architectural registers in a packed format. At least one of the numbers in the floating point format is converted to at least one 16-bit number in the integer format. The 16-bit number in the integer format is placed in a register of a second set of architectural registers in the packed format.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the number of opcodes required in a computer architecture using an operation class code and an operation selector code. A processor contains a fetch unit which fetches instructions to be executed by the processor. An instruction may conform to an instruction format which includes a number of fields that specify an operation class code, an operation selector code, and one or more operands. The processor also contains a decoder which uses the operation class code to generate a single execution flow that is capable of executing a class of similar operations. The single execution flow, in the form of execution control information, is sent to an execution unit along with the associated operands. The operation selector code is also passed to the execution unit. The execution unit performs the specific operation identified by the operation selector code and execution control information.

Abstract: A method comprises decoding a single instruction having a first operand identifying a plurality of bytes of packed data and a second operand identifying a corresponding plurality of byte masks. Each of the plurality of byte masks identified by the second operand of the single decoded instruction are analyzed, wherein select bytes of the plurality of bytes identified by the first operand are moved to an implicitly defined location based, at least in part, on the analysis of the individual byte masks identified by the second operand of the single decoded instruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parallel processing of graphics data are described. A number of color components are stored in a floating point format in at least one register of a set of 128-bit registers in a packed format. The color components in the floating point format are converted to numbers in an integer format. The numbers in the integer format are placed in at least one register of a set of 64-bit registers in the packed format. Color components are assembled for image pixels from the numbers in the integer format.