Intel Corporation

Vlsi Technology, Inc.

Roger W Luce

Marc A Goldschmidt

James J Jirgal

Disclosed are a system and method of replacing data in cache ways of a cache memory array. If one or more cache ways are locked from replacement, a cache way may be selected from among the unlocked cache ways based upon a pseudo random selection scheme.

System and method of data replacement in cache ways

A method and system for cache replacement among configurable cache sets. In one embodiment, the present invention identifies a cache location corresponding to uncached data received from main memory and determines a data type for the uncached data. The present invention then examines the cache location in at least one of the configurable cache sets which is configured for the data type of the uncached data. Provided that the cache location of at least one of the configurable cache sets is not occupied by valid data and that the same configurable cache set is configured for the data type of the uncached data, the present invention stores the uncached data into that configurable cache set at the cache location without displacing valid data therein. Provided that the cache location of each of the configurable cache sets which is configured for the data type of the uncached data is occupied by valid yet old data, the present invention replaces the old data stored in one of the configurable cache sets at the cache location with the uncached data. This embodiment of the present invention thus provides a method for cache replacement among configurable cache sets.

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Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Roger W Luce