Multi-level thermal management in an electronic device

An electronic device is configured to manage heat in the device using a multi level thermal management process. When the temperature of the device reaches a level that requires the device to take action to adjust its thermal behavior, a system level controller identifies a component in the device as being active and that can be controlled to adjust heat generation in the device. Once an active component is identified, a component level controller sets an activity limit for the identified active component that is at or above a minimum activity limit of the component and prevents the component from operating above this activity limit. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.