Managing current and power in a computing system

A method for efficient power transfer on a die, the method comprising:

• measuring an activity level of at least one of a first computation unit (CU) and a second CU, each assigned a respective initial number of power credits;
• alternating between at least two discrete power-performance states (P-states) in each of the first CU and the second CU to maintain a respective virtual P-state corresponding to an average power, wherein the average power is a power target based upon a respective current number of power credits;
• and
• reducing a number of power credits currently allocated to the first CU, in response to detecting an amount of current drawn by the first CU of given exceeds a given current limit.

A computer readable storage medium storing program instructions operable to efficiently transfer power on a die, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

• measure an activity level of at least one of a first computation unit (CU) and a second CU, each assigned a respective initial number of power credits;
• alternate between at least two discrete power-performance states (P-states) in each of the first CU and the second CU to maintain a respective virtual P-state corresponding to an average power, wherein the average power is a power target based upon a respective current number of power credits;
• and
• reduce a number of power credits currently allocated to the first CU, in response to detecting an amount of current drawn by the first CU of given exceeds a given current limit.