Methods and apparatus related to data processors and caches incorporated in data processors

A cache comprising:

• a cache array having a plurality of entries;
• a frequent writes predictor table, coupled to said cache array, for storing frequency information indicating a write back frequency for said plurality of entries;
• and
• a cache controller coupled to said cache array and to said frequent writes predictor table, for evicting entries from said cache array based on said frequency information.

A method of selecting a candidate entry of a cache array having a plurality of entries for eviction comprising:

• storing frequency information indicating a write back frequency of corresponding entries in the cache array;
• storing recency information for all of said plurality of entries of said cache array;
• and
• selecting the candidate entry of said cache array for eviction based on both said recency information and said frequency information.