EXHIBIT 23.4 NEW DIRECTOR'S CONSENT OF AAVID THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. To the Board of Directors of Aavid Thermal Technologies, Inc.: I acknowledge that Aavid Thermal Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), filed a Form S-4 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 on March 23, 2000, as amended on March 29, 2000 (Registration No. 333-33126) (the "Registration Statement"). I hereby consent to be named as a future director of the Company in the Registration Statement and any subsequent amendments to the Registration Statement. /s/ BHARATAN R. PATEL Bharatan R. Patel