A pipeline-based processor and method. The method includes partitioning a particular pipeline into one or more base pipeline stages and a plurality of enhanced pipeline stages, each enhanced pipeline stage configured to be either a shutdown enhanced pipeline stage or an activated enhanced pipeline stage. Each enhanced pipeline stage has an enhanced stage priority level. The method also includes configuring each enhanced pipeline stage to be activated or shut down based at least on the enhanced stage priority level. The method additionally includes partitioning a particular pipeline stage into at least one base module and a plurality of enhanced modules, each enhanced pipeline stage configured to be either a shutdown enhanced pipeline stage or an activated enhanced pipeline stage. Each enhanced module has a particular priority level. The method further includes configuring each enhanced module to be activated or shut down based at least on the particular priority level.