Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
DYNAMIC APPLICATION OF SOFTWARE DATA CACHING HINTS BASED ON CACHE TEST REGIONS

Abstract:

A processor applies a software hint policy to a portion of a cache based on access metrics for different test regions of the cache, wherein each test region applies a different software hint policy for data associated with cache entries in each region of the cache. One test region applies a software hint policy under which software hints are followed. The other test region applies a software hint policy under which software hints are ignored. One of the software hint policies is selected for application to a non-test region of the cache.