Method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling heat generation in a multi-core processor

The disclosed methodology and apparatus may control heat generation in a multi-core processor. In one embodiment, each processor core includes a temperature sensor that reports temperature information to a processor controller. If a particular processor core exceeds a predetermined temperature, the processor core disables that processor core to allow it to cool. The processor core enables the previously disabled processor when the previously disabled processor core cools sufficiently to a normal operating temperature. The disclosed multi-core processor may avoid undesirable hot spots that impact processor life.