An apparatus and method for processing pixel depth information eliminates stalling of data in a pixel pipeline, by performing late Z processing for one or more pixels currently in the pixel pipeline and early Z processing for one or more pixels entering the pixel pipeline. The apparatus and method also includes determining whether the late Z processing for the one or more pixels currently in the pixel pipeline has been completed. The apparatus and method also includes solely performing early Z processing for subsequent pixels entering the pixel pipeline responsive to determining that late Z processing for the one or more pixels currently in the pixel pipeline has been completed. The methods and apparatus, facilitates concurrent processing of early and late Z data to avoid flushing portions of the pixel pipeline.