Exhibit 32.1

                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

            In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Aavid
Thermal Technologies, Inc. (the "Company") for the quarter ended June 30, 2004
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), the undersigned, Bharatan R. Patel, Chairman, President, and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, that:

      1.    the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
            15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and

      2.    the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Company.

Dated: August 10, 2004                       /s/ Bharatan R. Patel
                                                 ------------------------
                                             Bharatan R. Patel
                                             Chairman, President
                                             and Chief Executive
                                             Officer

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