The cost of logic gates can vary depending on the technology used (e.g., CMOS, TTL) and the manufacturer. However, in general:
- NOT, AND, and OR gates (basic gates) are typically the cheapest logic gates to produce because they are fundamental and easy to implement in most technologies.
- NAND and NOR gates are often cheaper than combinations of basic gates. These gates are "universal," meaning you can create any other gate (AND, OR, NOT, etc.) by combining NAND or NOR gates. Because of their versatility, manufacturers can optimize their production and make them cheaper.
Overall,
NAND and
NOR gates are usually the least expensive because they can be used to create other gates, and they are widely produced.