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Question

How does the IA-32 processor improve its prediction abilities for branches?

a.

By emptying the pipeline when a branch is missed.

b.

By using a branch trace buffer (BTB) that records the results of the most recent branch instructions processed and using that information for predicting the branch.

c.

By assuming that all conditional branches are always taken.

d.

By always waiting until the outcome of a branch is known before proceeding with the next instruction.

Posted under Reverse Engineering

Answer: (b).By using a branch trace buffer (BTB) that records the results of the most recent branch instructions processed and using that information for predicting the branch. Explanation:IA-32 processors employ a branch trace buffer (BTB) which records the results of the most recent branch instructions processed. When a branch is encountered, it is searched in the BTB. If an entry is found, the processor uses that information for predicting the branch.

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Q. How does the IA-32 processor improve its prediction abilities for branches?