A receiver includes first and second equalization modules adapted to provide first and second compensations to a data signal, and a control module including a list that identifies the first equalization module as being less efficient than the second. The control module provides first and second compensation levels of the first and second compensations, such that the first and second compensations operate on the data signal to meet a bit error rate (BER) target, lowers the first compensation to reduce the power consumption of the receiver based on the list, and determines whether, in response to an increase in the level of the second compensation the BER target is met.