A power management unit (PMU) may determine an optimal power saving state using a break-even period of a power saving state and an expected idle duration based on a first policy. The PMU may determine the optimal power saving state using a first break even period and actual idle duration based on a second policy. The break-even period may equal a minimum time a computer system should remain in a power saving state to compensate for the power consumed by the system to enter and exit that power saving state. The expected idle time duration is determined as an average of idle duration and a recent sample of idle duration. The actual idle duration is the difference of a first and second time point that represents entry and exit points to and from the power saving state. The PMU may transition the system to the optimal power saving state.