Zen 2 core versus uncore/SOC offers different performance characteristics.
Zen 2 core versus uncore/SOC offers different performance characteristics.
Unfamiliar with the term uncore; it seems to resemble a promotional phrase.
Looks like Intel's promotional content focuses more on broader concepts rather than specific CPU components.
SOC/Uncore appears in Asrock's BIOS. It seems SOC is the standard term for AMD, while Core and SOC refer to different components. The question is still about what each covers.
It seems we're exploring the idea that the core might actually be the processor bit itself. Historically, chips were single for a single chip, but it was found that adding separate processor sections to one chip could let those "cores" share support electronics, boosting performance. This led to the development of multi-core CPUs and the inclusion of features not originally on the main die. Northbridge and southbridge were key components, along with other functions. Chips combining both north ridge and southbridge on a single die were called SoCs, though they could represent just parts of the system. Updated November 23, 2020 by Bombastinator
I believe this might be the first time I've encountered the term Uncore for the SoC on Ryzen processors, probably just a naming quirk from Asrock. I'm not very experienced with overclocking or the specific effects of different voltages on Ryzen. From what I understand, Vcore controls the CCXs and CCDs—essentially the cores and cache—and the SoC manages the iGPU, memory, and Fabric (or maybe the I/O die). Uncore is a term used by some motherboard makers for cache on Intel systems, at least on mainstream boards. It's also referred to as ring in other contexts, like on the Z490 where ASUS calls it "Cache," MSI uses "Uncore," and Gigabyte refers to it as "Ring."
From Intel's perspective, the core handles execution units up to L2. The L3 cache and memory controller operate independently. I just figured out how it might be arranged on AMD, especially with Zen 2. It seems the core should at least cover execution units through L2, but does it also include L3? IF is likely managed by the SOC, so that leaves L3 in doubt. Based on the screenshot I shared earlier, it looks like SOC covers IF, leaving L3 as the uncertain part. At least I wasn’t fabricating this. It probably means “uncore” after seeing it, not realizing it could be an Intel term. I don’t think there’s a separate setting for L3 speed in Zen, and I suspect it’s linked to IF. So if that’s right, it would probably be on the SOC side. Yes, the L3 ring cache was on a different clock and voltage domain from the cores in Intel consumer chips. I just wish I understood what happens in Zen 2.