METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATED TO DATA PROCESSORS AND CACHES INCORPORATED IN DATA PROCESSORS

摘要

A cache includes a cache array and a cache controller. The cache array has a multiple number of entries. The cache controller is coupled to the cache array, for storing new entries in the cache array in response to accesses by a data processor, and evicts entries from the cache array according to a cache replacement policy. The cache controller includes a frequent writes predictor for storing frequency information indicating a write back frequency for the multiple number of entries. The cache controller selects a candidate entry for eviction based on both recency information and the frequency information.