A selective, flow-based datapath architecture is described. A Flow Control Block Manager (FCBM) is located in a flow-based datapath for selectively and intelligently processing packets in the Flow Path. If, according to the FCBM, efficiency gains can be achieved by creating a flow control block and employing flow-based processing on a packet stream, the packets are processed accordingly. If, however, insufficient gains are anticipated the packets are processed in a flow-unaware manner. The FCBM determines the manner in which to process packets based on a set of criteria.