动态时钟频率调整（也被称作是CPU节流）是一个用来使微控制器的频率可以自动适应需要进行调节，从而让CPU降低功耗，降低发热的技术。它属于计算机体系结构的范畴。自动频率调节通常被用在诸如手提电脑或者其它移动设备这样需要用电池供电并且电量有限的设备上，以降低CPU功耗，延长设备续航时间。它同样也被应用到需要安静的计算设备或者为低负荷的机器减少能量消耗、减少冷却成本。更少的热量产生可以让系统的风扇少工作或不工作，可以减少噪音，进一步减少电能消耗。 它还用于当温度上升到某个阈值时对欠冷却的系统减少热量。比如散热很差的超频过的系统。

Dynamic frequency scaling (also known as CPU throttling) is a technique in computer architecture whereby the frequency of a microprocessor can be automatically adjusted "on the fly," either to conserve power or to reduce the amount of heat generated by the chip. Dynamic frequency scaling is commonly used in laptops and other mobile devices, where energy comes from a battery and thus is limited. It is also used in quiet computing settings and to decrease energy and cooling costs for lightly loaded machines. Less heat output, in turn, allows the system cooling fans to be throttled down or turned off, reducing noise levels and further decreasing power consumption. It is also used for reducing heat in insufficiently cooled systems when the temperature reaches a certain threshold, such as in poorly cooled overclocked systems.