A computer system includes a processor and a fan operative to provide cooling airflow for reducing a temperature of the processor, the fan having a temperature threshold corresponding to operation of the fan at a speed greater than low speed. The computer system also includes a temperature-monitoring unit selectively operative in one of a reduced-acoustic mode and a normal-acoustic mode such that in the normal-acoustic mode, the temperature-monitoring unit attempts to control the temperature of the computer system by adjusting the speed of the fan and in the reduced-acoustic mode, the temperature-monitoring unit attempts to control the temperature of the computer system by throttling the processor.