An apparatus having a first memory and a circuit is disclosed. The first memory may be configured to store a plurality of timers. Each of the timers may have a respective value that indicates an expiration time. A first one of the timers nearest to expiring is generally stored at a first address of the first memory. The circuit may be configured to (i) assert a signal in response to the respective value of the first timer matching a counter of time, (ii) read a second of the timers and a third of the timers both from a second address of the first memory, (iii) sort the second timer and the third timer to determine which expires next and (iv) replace the first timer by writing one of the second timer or the third timer that expires next into the first memory at the first address.