Prefetch disable of memory requests targeting data lacking locality

• Main Authors: Ahmad, Masab, Aguren, Derrick Allen
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.05.2023
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS

A system and method for efficiently processing memory requests are described. A processing unit includes at least a processor core, a cache, and a non-cache storage buffer capable of storing data prevented from being stored in the cache. While processing a memory request targeting the non-cache storage buffer, the processor core inspects a flag stored in a tag of the memory request. The processor core prevents data prefetching into one or more of the non-cache storage buffer and the cache based on determining the flag specifies preventing data prefetching into one or more of the non-cache storage buffer and the cache using the target address of the memory request during processing of this instance of the memory request. While processing a prefetch hint instruction, the processor core determines from the tag whether to prevent prefetching.