I'm not sure what you're asking. IDT used the same gate array for numerous 7400-series products. As a result, simple chips would waste most of the die, while complex chips would use most of it. The tradeoff is that using a gate array saves design costs, although each chip is more expensive to manufacture due to the wasted silicon. Since IDT was selling into low volume, price-insensitive markets (military), the tradeoff was worthwhile.
I may be dating myself here but I seem to recall Intel offering a hobbled 486 processor in which the math processor was disconnected for no other reason than marketing. Regarding the Gate array Technology it seems we've come full circle with the new risk V processors being offered up at incredibly cheap prices.
