Methods and apparatus to permit a system low power consumption state when CPU (Central Processing Unit) or generically any compute element is active are described. In an embodiment, a fabric and a memory controller are caused to enter a low power consumption state at least partially in response to a determination that the fabric and the memory controller are idle. The entry into the low power consumption state occurs while a compute element, coupled to the fabric and the memory controller, is in an active state. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.