Risc processor having specialized datapath for specialized registers

A method of using a data path block circuit, the method comprising:

• receiving an operation signal comprising data identifying a first read port of one of first and second register files for a first operand, and identifying a second read port of one of the first and second register files for a second operand, wherein the first register file comprises a first quantity of read ports and a second quantity of write ports, wherein the second register file comprises a third quantity of read ports and a fourth quantity of write ports, and wherein the first quantity of read ports is different from the third quantity of read ports, and wherein the second quantity of write ports is different from the fourth quantity of write ports;
• with a first operand multiplexer, receiving data from the operation signal identifying the first read port;
• with the first operand multiplexer, selecting a first data input based on the received data identifying the first read port;
• with a second operand multiplexer, receiving data from the operation signal identifying the second read port;
• with the second operand multiplexer, selecting a second data input based on the received data identifying the second read port;
• with a logic circuit of a first data path circuit, receiving data from the first and second operand multiplexers to be used as first and second operands;
• and
• with the logic circuit, performing a data path operation to generate a result based on the first and second operands,
• wherein at least one of the first operand multiplexer and the second operand multiplexer comprises a data input connected to the first register file, and
• wherein at least one of the first operand multiplexer and the second operand multiplexer comprises a data input connected to the second register file.