Full Custom (cont)
Offers the chance for optimum performance. Performance is based on available process technology, designer skill, and CAD tool assistance.
Fabrication costs are high - all custom masks must be made so non-recurring engineering costs (NRE) is high (in the thousands of dollars). If required number of chips is high then can spread these NRE costs across the chips.
The first custom chip costs you about $200,000, but each additional one is much cheaper.