Automatic system shutdown following processor thermal condition

This invention relates to thermal conditions in computer systems and, more particularly, to addressing critical thermal conditions. Power to a processor-based system is automatically disabled following a thermal condition detected by the processor. A predetermined thermal condition identified by the processor is coupled to a circuit that causes the power supply to be turned off. The response is substantially simultaneous to the predetermined thermal condition such that the processor and other integrated circuits located on the motherboard of the system may survive the thermal condition.