Devices and methods for monitoring one or more central processing units in real time are disclosed. The method may include monitoring state data associated with the one or more CPUs in real-time, filtering the state data, and at least partially based on filtered state data, selectively altering one or more system settings. A device may include means for monitoring state data associated with the one or more CPUs in real-time, means for filtering the state data, and means for selectively altering one or more system settings at least partially based on filtered state data. A device may also include a sub-sampling circuit configured to receive a hardware core signal from the central processing unit and output a central processing unit state indication, and an infinite impulse response filter connected to the sub-sampling circuit and configured to receive the central processing unit state indication from the sub-sampling circuit.