Multiported Register Files (cont)

• Read Access time of a register file grows approximately linearly with the number of ports

  • Internal Bit Cell loading becomes larger
  • Larger area of register file causes longer wire delays

• What is reasonable today in terms of number of ports?

  • Changes with technology, 15-20 ports is currently about the maximum (read ports + write ports)
  • Will support 5-7 execution units simultaneous operand accesses from register file

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