A method and apparatus for a trace end predictor for a trace cache is
disclosed. In one embodiment, the trace end predictor may have one or
more buffers to contain a head address for a subsequent trace. The head
address may include the way number and set number of the next head, along
with partial stew data to support additional execution predictors. The
buffers may also include tag data of the current trace's tail address,
and may additionally include control bits for determining whether to
replace the buffer's contents with information from another trace's tail.
Reading the next head address from the trace end predictor, as opposed to
reading it from the trace cache array, may reduce certain execution time
delays.