A system includes a processor including at least a first core and a local interrupt controller associated with the first core. The first core is operable to store its architectural state prior to entering a first core sleep state, and the processor is operable to receive and implement a request for entering a system sleep state in which the first core is in the first core sleep state and the local interrupt controller is powered down and exit the system sleep state by restoring the local interrupt controller and restoring the saved architectural state of the first core.