An information processing apparatus is described for processing a workload. The information processing apparatus comprises a processor and a memory element connected to the processor via a data link. In advance of processing a workload, the information processing apparatus estimates an access time required to transfer an amount of the workload that is to be transferred from the external memory element to the processor, and estimates a processing time for the processor to process the workload. A processing rate characteristic of the processor and/or a data transfer rate between the memory and the processor is set in dependence upon the estimated processing time and estimated access time. Methods for varying a quality of service (QoS) value of requests to the external memory element are also described.