Optimizing performance of instructions based on sequence detection or information associated with the instructions

An apparatus comprising:

• an execution unit to perform operations indicated by instruction codes;
• and
• an instruction decoder to decode a first incoming instruction into a first instruction code or a second instruction code based on a path select signal indicative of detection of a sequence of instructions, wherein the instruction decoder is to receive the path select signal from a sequence detector coupled to the instruction decoder, the path select signal having a second state to correspond to detection of a second incoming instruction used in conjunction with the first incoming instruction and received in the instruction decoder within a threshold distance of the first incoming instruction, the instruction decoder to decode the first incoming instruction into the first instruction code to cause the execution unit to run a first optimized operation responsive to the path select signal having a first state and to otherwise decode the first incoming instruction into the second instruction code to cause the execution unit to run a second optimized operation responsive to the path select signal having the second state.