Read a couple months ago in the open source DS flashcard thread how the 2040 isn't quite fast enough to comfortably work as a ds flashcard. If that's true then it's not likely it can replace an fpga in a switch flashcard.
Also, there are tiny fpgas out there (finally I get to use this pic).
I...
I really doubt you can get the lattice chips anywhere else though, at least not for less.
In the end it's a difference of a couple $, not a big deal for small runs.
I mean surely a 55nm chip from a few years ago can't be as bad as a 150nm chip from almost 2 decades ago. The power bug might be a concern. if the application triggers it.
The Mouser price is unreasonably high, the actual price is ~$3 in singles but they're kinda hard to get outside of china it...
If cost is a concern it seems you can get an fpga breakout board for as little as $5.
Most flashcards seem to use the A3PN060 variant of the proasic3, which features 512 "macrocells", by their terminology.
My switch has been "safely docked " for almost 6 years now, without any noticeable battery degradation that could be attributed to docking.
Not sure how it does that either, my laptop battery shit the bed about a year after I started docking it.
Pretty pricey but probably worth it if you actually like using the joycons like me.
I wonder how it works, maybe there are a couple of analog output hall sensors inside.
I seems to recall having no issues playing with the monitor off, however it's been years since I've had an nvidia card.
If you have an android phone you can quickly test this.
Looking at flex pcb prices from prototype pcb houses, a proper finished product will likely cost way more.
Unless people are ok with long runs of magnet wires.
The rp2040 (and its PIO) has been used to make a modchip before: https://github.com/KULeuven-COSIC/Starlink-FI/
Also I think it used to be $1.5 for a bare chip, in singles volume. If mass produced it could be <$3.