Apparatus and methods are disclosed for power optimization in a wireless device. The apparatus and methods effect monitoring the amount of data stored in a data buffer that buffers data input to and data output from a processor. Dependent on the amount of data stored in the buffers parameters of a control function, such as a Dynamic Clock and Voltage Scaling (DCVS) function are modified based on the amount of data stored in the data buffer. By modifying or pre-empting the parameters of the control function, which controls at least processor frequency, the processor can process applications more dynamically over default parameter settings, especially in situations where one or more real-time activities having strict time constraints for completion are being handled by the processor as evinced by increased buffer depth. As a result, power usage is further optimized as the control function is more responsive to processing conditions.