A high-speed decoder includes a buffer that includes buffer space for Q encoded data frames, where Q is a rational number greater than or equal to two. An iterative decoder receives the data frames from the buffer, generates a confidence result with each decoding iteration, and completes decoding a data frame when at least one of the number of iterations reaches a predetermined maximum number of iterations and the confidence result is greater than or equal to a predetermined confidence level. The iterative decoder stops decoding the Q data frames after a predetermined total number of iterations that is less than Q times the predetermined maximum number of iterations.