An information handling system (IHS) selectively performs duty-cycled equalization of data transmission on a communication link between a sending component and a receiving component. A controller activates an equalizer associated with the communication link. Following equalizer convergence, the controller determines power consumption and/or data throughput corresponding to data samples propagated over the communication link. If power consumption and/or data throughput do not exceed respective specified threshold values, the controller maintains or applies continuous equalization. However, if power consumption and/or data throughput exceed the respective threshold values, the controller initiates duty-cycled equalization using a selected duty cycle value. The duty-cycled equalization activates the equalizer during the first interval to minimize accumulating inter-symbol interference (ISI) effects associated with a first set of data samples, and de-activates the equalizer during a second interval enabling a second set of data samples to bypass equalization, while satisfying power consumption and signal quality requirements.