1. A processor-based system, comprising: a performance control apparatus, comprising a selector, the selector being adjustable, between a minimum setting and a maximum setting; and a performance control application program with a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface comprising at least one application program selector associated with an application program loaded in the processor-based system, wherein the application program selector is adjustable between a second minimum setting and a second maximum setting; wherein the at least one application program selector enables a user to modify one or more performance criteria during operation of the application program and the selector enables the user to modify the one or more performance criteria during operation of the processor-based system.