FPGAs are particularly amazing for this sort of project where you would otherwise need a custom ASIC that could never be even remotely economical to build (see

FPGAs are particularly amazing for this sort of project where you would otherwise need a custom ASIC that could never be even remotely economical to build (see my 16-core Z80 laptop as another excellent example: http://www.chrisfenton.com/the-zedripper-part-1/ http://www.chrisfenton.com/the-zedripper-part-1/). It lets you play 'fantasy computer architect.'