The present disclosure illustrates a system for reducing power consumption in a computer processor. Included is a 16-bit instruction decoder for decoding instructions with 16-bit words, a 32-bit instruction decoder for decoding instructions with 32-bit words, a word length select for indicating a present instruction's word length, and a first selector for routing the instruction into the 16-bit decoder when the present instruction is 16-bits long. The first selector is also configured to route a previous instruction into the 16-bit decoder, maintaining the 16-bit decoder's present state. A second selector is configured to route the instruction into the 32-bit decoder when the present instruction is 32-bits long. The second selector is also configured to route a past instruction into the 32-bit decoder to maintain the 32-bit decoder's present state.