Method and apparatus for speculative execution of uncontended lock instructions

    公开(公告)号:US20060004998A1

    公开(公告)日:2006-01-05

    申请号:US10883519

    申请日:2004-06-30

    IPC分类号: G06F9/30

    摘要: A method and apparatus for executing lock instructions speculatively in an out-of-order processor are disclosed. In one embodiment, a prediction is made whether a given lock instruction will actually be contended. If not, then the lock instruction may be treated as having a normal load micro-operation which may be speculatively executed. Monitor logic may look for indications that the lock instruction is actually contended. If no such indications are found, the speculative load micro-operation and other micro-operations corresponding to the lock instruction may retire. However, if such indications are in fact found, the lock instruction may be restarted, and the prediction mechanism may be updated.