Selective searching in shared cache

摘要

The present invention discloses a method comprising: sending request for data to a memory controller; arranging the request for data by order of importance or priority; identifying a source of the request for data; if the source is an input/output device, masking off P ways in a cache; and allocating ways in filling the cache. The method further includes extending cache allocation logic to control a tag comparison operation by using a bit to provide a hint from IO devices that certain ways will not have requested data.