CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


         We  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in the  Registration
Statements (Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 Nos. 33-41027,  33-80988,
333-13387,  33-80992,  33-94790, 333-13359 and 333-13357) pertaining to the 1991
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 1994 Incentive  Stock Plan and the PMC-Sierra,
Inc. (Portland) 1996 Stock Option Plan of PMC-Sierra,  Inc., of our report dated
January 22, 1997,  with respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and
schedule  of  PMC-Sierra,   Inc.   (formerly   known  as  Sierra   Semiconductor
Corporation)  included  in its  Annual  Report  (Form  10-K) for the year  ended
December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                            /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP



San Jose, California
August 25, 1997