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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                  May 25, 1999


Sanmina Corporation
355 Trimble Road
San Jose, CA  95131

        RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 25, 1999 (the
"Registration Statement"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an aggregate of 4,400,000 shares of your
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"), (i) 900,000 shares of
which are to be issued pursuant to options under the Amended 1990 Incentive
Stock Plan, (ii) 800,000 shares of which are to be issued pursuant to the 1993
Employee Stock Purchase Plan and (iii) 2,700,000 shares of which are to be
issued pursuant to the 1999 Stock Plan (collectively, the "Plans"). As your
counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined the proceedings
taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in
connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to the Plans.

        It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described in
the Plans and pursuant to the agreements which accompany each grant under the
Plans, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully-paid and
non-assessable.

        We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI


                                        /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati