A method for performing hash operations including: receiving a hash instruction that is part of an application program, where the hash instruction prescribes one of the hash operations and one of a plurality of hash algorithms; translating the hash instruction into a first plurality of micro instructions and a second plurality of micro instructions; and via a hash unit disposed within execution logic, executing the one of the hash operations. The executing includes first executing the first plurality of micro instructions within the hash unit to produce output data; second executing the second plurality of micro instructions within an x86 integer unit in parallel with the first executing to test a bit in a flags register, to update text pointer registers, and to process interrupts during execution of the hash operation; and storing a corresponding intermediate hash value to memory prior to allowing a pending interrupt to proceed.