Cache Memory with Extended Set-associativity of Partner Sets

In a cache memory including a plurality of sets of cache lines, a method for increasing the associativity of selected sets of cache lines comprising:

• providing a group of parameters for determining the worthiness of a cache line stored in a basic set of cache lines;
• providing at least one partner set of cache lines, in said cache memory, associated with said basic set;
• applying said group of parameters to determine the worthiness level of a cache line in said basic set;
• and
• storing a worthiness level cache line in said partner set responsive to a determination of worthiness in excess of a predetermined level, for said cache line.

A computer program implementation comprising a computer usable medium having stored thereon a computer readable program for increasing the associativity of selected sets of cache lines in a cache memory including a plurality of sets of cache lines, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

• provide a group of parameters for determining the worthiness of a cache line stored in a basic set of cache lines;
• provide at least one partner set of cache lines, in said cache memory, associated with said basic set;
• apply said group of parameters to determine the worthiness level of a cache line in said basic set;
• store a worthiness level cache line in said partner set responsive to a determination of a worthiness in excess of a predetermined level, for said cache line.