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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 of MKS Instruments, Inc. (the "Company"),
related to the Company's 1997 Director Stock Option Plan, of our report dated
January 22, 1999, except for the information in the first and second paragraph
of Note 13, as to which the date is January 28, 1999 and February 24, 1999,
respectively, relating to the consolidated financial statements of MKS
Instruments, Inc., which appears in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (File No. 333-71363). We also consent to the incorporation by reference of
our report dated January 22, 1999, relating to the financial statement schedule
of MKS Instruments, Inc., which appears in the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (File No. 333-71363).

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
May 6, 1999