A processor is to execute and retire instructions for a virtual machine. A reload register is coupled to the core is to store a reload value. A performance monitoring counter (PMC) register is coupled to the reload register and an event-based sampler operatively is coupled to the reload register and the PMC register. The event-based sampler includes circuitry to load the reload value into the PMC register and increment the PMC register after detecting each occurrence of an event of a certain type as a result of execution of the instructions. Upon detecting an occurrence of the event after the PMC register reaches a predetermined trigger value, the event-based sampler is to execute microcode to generate field data for elements within a sampling record, wherein the field data relates to a current processor state of execution, and reload the reload value from the reload register into the PMC register.