An old woman PS5 who sleeps under the TV can today become a real gaming PC under Linuxcapable of displaying Steam up to 4K at 60 Hz. This is the project PS5-Linuxled by the hacker Andy Nguyen (theflow0), already known on the PlayStation scene.
His solution, now available on GitHub, exploits a console flaw to start a distribution like Ubuntu 24.04 with full access to the machine’s CPU, GPU and ports. Enough to transform certain PS5s into a real Steam Machine, provided you check several very specific boxes.
PS5 Linux: how does your console become a complete PC for Steam in 4K?
Once PS5-Linux is launched, the console presents itself as an x86 PC with an 8-core, 16-thread CPU clocked at up to 3.5 GHz and a GPU at 2.23 GHz. The HDMI output manages 1080p, 1440p and especially 4K at 60 Hz, with all usable USB ports, as well as the slot M.2 on 4.xx firmwares.
Andy Nguyen submitted a patch to the graphics drivers Mesa for the PS5 GPU, which allows true 3D acceleration under Linux. Result, Steam works with the compatibility layer Protonwhich translates DirectX calls from Windows games to Vulkan in real time. We therefore obtain an experience close to a small gaming PC running Linux.
PS5 under Linux: what does Steam really allow in 4K on your console?
The 4K 60 Hz output is well managed by the console, but you have to remain realistic in games. Independent titles, AA productions or low-power competitive games can aim for smooth 4K, sometimes via FSR-type scaling on the game side. For large AAAs, the credible target is more around 1440p, sent in 4K to the TV.
In demonstration, GTA V Enhanced has already shot under Linux in 1440p at 60 frames per second with ray tracing, with 4K HDMI output and audio working perfectly. The PS5 then behaves like a very compact Steam Machine, also capable of emulation, office automation or development, all on a fairly classic Ubuntu base.
PS5 Linux: is your console compatible and what are the risks to accept?
The project only concerns PS5s “Phat” with disk drive, released between 2020 and early 2022. You also need firmware between 3.00 and 3.21 or between 4.00 and 4.51. The current 5.xx versions are not supported, except eventually via much less efficient virtualization. If your PS5 is still in this range, don’t update it.
The hack remains a softmod : no system files are overwritten and a simple restart returns the console to its classic PlayStation environment. In exchange, you have to restart the chain of exploits at each startup, without sleep mode or dual boot PS5 Linux. Internal Bluetooth is not supported, which requires a dongle for the DualSense, and some HDMI screens may pose a problem. Overclock tests at 3.5 GHz for the CPU and 2.23 GHz for the GPU caused a PS5 Slim to overheat, which clearly calls for caution. Experimental project, intended for advanced users and rather for a second console that you agree to transform into a lab machine.