AMD x86 manual Programming the Mtrr, Memory Type Range Register Mtrr Mechanism

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22007E/0 — November 1999

AMD Athlon™ Processor x86 Code Optimization

Appendix E

Programming the MTRR and

PAT

Introduction

The AMD Athlon™ processor includes a set of memory type and range registers (MTRRs) to control cacheability and access to specified memory regions. The processor also includes the Page Address Table for defining attributes of pages. This chapter documents the use and capabilities of this feature.

The purpose of the MTRRs is to provide system software with the ability to manage the memory mapping of the hardware. Both the BIOS software and operating systems utilize this capability. The AMD Athlon processor’s implementation is compatible to the Pentium® II. Prior to the MTRR mechanism, chipsets usually provided this capability.

Memory Type Range Register (MTRR) Mechanism

The memory type and range registers allow the processor to determine cacheability of various memory locations prior to bus access and to optimize access to the memory system. The AMD Athlon processor implements the MTRR programming model in a manner compatible with Pentium II.

Introduction

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AMD x86 manual Programming the Mtrr, Memory Type Range Register Mtrr Mechanism