Method and structure for accessing semi-associative cache memory using multiple memories to store different components of the address

A structure and method of operation of a cache memory are provided. The cache memory is organized such that the data on a given line of any page of the main memory is stored on the same line of a page of the cache memory. Two address memories are provided, one containing the first eight bits of the virtual address of the page of the data in main memory and the second the entire real page address in main memory. When an address is asserted on the bus, the line component of the address causes each of those lines from the cache memory to read out to a multiplexor. At the same time, the eight bit component of the virtual address is compared in the first memory to the eight bits of each line stored in the first memory, and if a compare is made, the data on that line from that page of cache memory is read to the CPU. Also, the entire real address is compared in the second memory, and if a match does not occur, the data from the cache to the CPU is flagged as invalid data. A structure and method are also provided to determine if duplicate addresses exist in the second address memory.