A method and computing apparatus for controlling operation of hardware processing components are disclosed. The method may include receiving a data packet (e.g., a media frame) at the computing device, processing the data packet with a plurality of hardware components to display the data packet, and monitoring movement of the data packet among the hardware components. A time indication for each hardware component is generated that indicates when the data packet will be received, and a frequency of each of the hardware components is adjusted based upon when the frame will arrive to be processed.