The AMD Athlon processor’s high-performance cache
architecture includes an integrated, 64-bit, dual-ported
128-Kbyte split-L1 cache with separate snoop port, multi-level
translation lookaside buffers (TLBs), a scalable L2 cache
controller with a 72-bit (64-bit data + 8-bit ECC) interface to as
much as 8-Mbyte of industry-standard SDR or DDR SRAMs, and
an integrated tag for the most cost-effective 512-Kbyte L2
configurations.
The AMD Athlon processor’s integrated L1 cache comprises
two separate 64-Kbyte, two-way set-associative data and
instruction caches. The data cache has eight banks to support
concurrent access by two 64-bit loads or stores. The instruction
cache contains predecode data to assist multiple,
high-performance instruction decoders. The robust bi-level TLB
structure minimizes code and data delays when accessing
physical memory.
The AMD Athlon processor’s L2 cache controller operates at a
programmable frequency for compatibility with a variety of
industry-standard SRAMs including DDR. The integrated L2
cache tag provides a full tag for a 512-Kbyte L2 cache or a
partial tag for larger L2 caches