Synchronization of load operations using load fence instruction in pre-serialization/post-serialization mode

A method and apparatus for synchronizing load operations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a decode circuit to decode a load fence instruction. An execution unit executes the load fence instruction after it as been decoded by the decode circuit. Furthermore, a control register is included to enable pre-serialization and post-serialization of operations appearing before and after the load fence instruction in program order, respectively.