Techniques described herein generally relate to optimizing energy consumption in a computer system. In some examples an energy usage benchmark can be determined for a system component of the computer system by measuring performance levels and energy usages of the system component under a range of energy settings and utilization rates of the system component. A utilization rate of the system component can be determined based on prediction factors including the execution of a first set of instructions on the computer system. The system component can be configured to execute a second set of instructions after the first set of instructions by selecting an energy setting from the range of energy settings for operating the system component. The energy setting can be selected based on the energy usage benchmark and the determined utilization rate.