A microprocessor that performs adaptive power throttling includes a calculation unit configured to calculate an average power consumed by the microprocessor over a most recent predetermined sample time and to determine whether the average power is less than a predetermined maximum power value. A power management unit controls the microprocessor to conditionally operate at a predetermined frequency if the average power is less than the predetermined maximum power value. The predetermined frequency is a frequency at which the microprocessor may consume more than the predetermined maximum power value. The power management unit controls the microprocessor to operate at the predetermined frequency only if the microprocessor was most recently instructed by system software to operate at a highest frequency instructable by the system software. The highest frequency instructable by the system software is less than the predetermined frequency.