Systems and methods for improving the performance of a multiprocessor system by enabling a first processor to initiate the retrieval of data and the storage of the data in the cache memory of a second processor. One embodiment comprises a system having a plurality of processors coupled to a bus, where each processor has a corresponding cache memory. The processors are configured so that a first one of the processors can issue a preload command directing a target processor to load data into the target processor's cache memory. The preload command may be issued in response to a preload instruction in program code, or in response to an event. The first processor may include an explicit identifier of the target processor in the preload command, or the selection of the target processor may be left to another agent, such as an arbitrator coupled to the bus.