A cache, system and method for reducing the number of rejected snoop
requests. A "stall/reorder unit" in a cache receives a snoop request from
an interconnect. Information, such as the address, of the snoop request
is stored in a queue of the stall/reorder unit. The stall/reorder unit
forwards the snoop request to a selector which also receives a request
from a processor. An arbitration mechanism selects either the snoop
request or the request from the processor. If the snoop request is denied
by the arbitration mechanism, information, e.g., address, about the snoop
request may be maintained in the stall/reorder unit. The request may be
later resent to the selector. This process may be repeated up to "n"
clock cycles. By providing the snoop request additional opportunities (n
clock cycles) to be accepted by the arbitration mechanism, fewer snoop
requests may ultimately be denied.