Dynamic selection of cache levels

A method for dynamic selection of a cache level, comprising the steps of:

• (A) generating in a first circuit an access request having a first address;
• (B) initiating in a second circuit a change in a load value of a cache system in response to said access request, wherein (i) said cache system has a plurality of levels and (ii) said load value represents a work load on said cache system
• (C) generating a second address from said first address in response to said load value;
• and
• (D) routing said access request to one of said levels in said cache system in response to said second address.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for generating an access request having a first address;
• means for initiating a change in a load value of a cache system in response to said access request, wherein (i) said cache system has a plurality of levels and (ii) said load value represents a work load on said cache system;
• means for generating a second address from said first address in response to said load value;
• and
• means for routing said access request to one of said levels in said cache system in response to said second address.