Device, method, and system to facilitate improved bandwidth of a branch prediction unit

Abstract

Techniques and mechanisms for a processor to determine an execution of instructions based on a prediction of a taken branch. In an embodiment, a first prediction unit generates each of multiple branch predictions in one cycle of successive branch prediction cycles. An indication of the branch predictions is provided to an execution pipeline, which prepares to execute an instruction based on the indication. Where a first one of the branch predictions is determined to be of a low confidence type, said first branch prediction is further indicated to a second prediction unit, which performs a second branch prediction based on the same branch instruction for which the first branch prediction was made. In another embodiment, the second prediction unit signals that a state of the execution pipeline is to be cleared, based on a determination that the first and second branch predictions are inconsistent with each other.