Apparatus and methods for real-time routing of received frames in a split-path architecture storage controller. In one exemplary embodiment, a split-path storage controller comprises a soft-path I/O processor for processing of any received frames and comprises a fast-path I/O processor for efficient processing of common read and write command. A content parsing circuit of the storage controller parses each frame substantially concurrent with reception of the frame and selects an I/O processor for processing of an initial frame and subsequent related frames. Received frames are then routed concurrently as they are received for processing by the selected I/O processor of the multiple I/O processors of the split-path storage controller.