1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectuses
constituting part of the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 33-57610, No.
33-59050, No. 33-78094, No. 33-89828, No. 333-09383 and No. 333-29667) of
Trident Microsystems, Inc. of our report dated July 17, 1997, appearing on page
24 of this Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our
report on the Financial Statement Schedules which appears on page 40 of this
Form 10-K.




Price Waterhouse LLP
San Jose, California
September 25, 1997



                                       46