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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of
Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. on Form S-8 for 200,000 shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance under the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 225,000
shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under an Officer's Grant of our
report dated March 18, 1997, on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.
as of December 31, 1996, and 1995 and for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994, which report is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1996.

/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

San Jose, California
October 9, 1997