Various embodiments are directed to a tri-layered power scheme for architectures which contain a microcontroller. In one embodiment, a power management system may comprise a microcontroller in a chipset, a low consumption power well to control a power supply to the microcontroller, and a power controller to control a power supply to the low consumption power well. The power management system may be arranged to switch among multiple power consumption states. In a maximum power consumption state, the microcontroller is on, the power controller is on, and the low consumption power well is on. In an intermediate power consumption state, the microcontroller is off, the power controller is on, and the low consumption power well is required to be on. In a minimum power consumption state, the microcontroller is off, the power controller is on, and the low consumption power well is optionally on or off at the discretion of the power controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed.