Apparatus and method

A data processing method, comprising:

• rendering an entire image frame by way of a plurality of successive rendering stages, each rendering stage having a respective initial rendering stage time allocation, where each rendering stage is performed on a respective set of data so as to obtain a different rendering effect for the entire image frame;
• predicting, in dependence upon a status of at least one rendering stage of the plural successive rendering stages, whether a total time period for rendering the entire image frame by the rendering circuitry will exceed a predetermined image frame rendering time allocation for the entire image frame;
• and
• varying the respective initial rendering stage time allocation for one or more of the plurality of successive rendering stages which have not yet completed rendering the respective set of data thereof, responsive to the prediction circuitry, so as to shorten the total time period for rendering the entire image frame by the rendering circuitry.

A machine-readable, non-transitory storage medium which stores computer software which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a data processing method, comprising:

• rendering an entire image frame by way of a plurality of successive rendering stages, each rendering stage having a respective initial rendering stage time allocation, where each rendering stage is performed on a respective set of data so as to obtain a different rendering effect for the entire image frame;
• predicting, in dependence upon a status of at least one rendering stage of the plural successive rendering stages, whether a total time period for rendering the entire image frame by the rendering circuitry will exceed a predetermined image frame rendering time allocation for the entire image frame;
• and
• varying the respective initial rendering stage time allocation for one or more of the plurality of successive rendering stages, which have not yet completed rendering the respective set of data thereof, responsive to the prediction circuitry, so as to shorten the total time period for rendering the entire image frame by the rendering circuitry.