A programmable graphics pipeline and method for processing multiple
partitioned multimedia data, such as graphics data, image data, video
data, or audio data. A preferred embodiment of the programmable graphics
pipeline includes an instruction cache, a register file, and a vector
functional unit that perform partitioned instructions. In addition, an
enhanced rasterization unit is used to generate inverse-mapped source
coordinates in addition to destination output coordinates for graphics
and other media processing. An enhanced texture address unit generates
corresponding memory addresses of source texture data for graphics
processing and source media data for media processing. Data retrieved
from memory are stored in an enhanced texture cache for use by the vector
functional unit. A vector output unit includes a blending unit for
graphics data and an output buffer for wide media data.