When is a SoC not a SoC? When it's a Xeon D-1500
Intel server SoC is not a real SoC (system on chip).
This definition from Wikipedia is pretty good: "A system on a chip or system on chip (SoC or SOC) is an integrated circuit (IC) that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic system into a single chip." And a chip is one, monolithic die. It's pretty clear from Intel's own materials that the Xeon D-1500 is actually a system in package (SIP). The I/O Hub is a separate die from the Xeon processor die.
I don't think it's a good precedent to allow Intel to redefine a standard and well known industry term for their own expedient needs. Intel is obviously feeling the pressure from the ARM SoC (real SoCs) vendors like and is trying to catch up by building a single package server processor that emulates an SoC. Intel is trying to mislead analysts, customers, and reporters, and I find that a poor choice by the company.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
