PlayStation 5 Turned into a Linux Gaming PC: GTA V Runs at 60 FPS with Ray Tracing

If you’ve spent time working with Linux software like GnuCash for finance, OnlyOffice for productivity, or Pinta for graphics, and you’ve explored lightweight desktop environments like Xubuntu and Lubuntu, you know how versatile Linux can be.

Now imagine running a full Linux system on a PlayStation 5 console. Thanks to the work of security researcher Andy Nguyen, this is no longer just a thought experiment—PS5 hardware can now run Ubuntu 24.04.4, Steam, and even modern games like GTA V with ray tracing enabled. This opens up entirely new ways to use the console beyond its original purpose.

Running Linux on the PlayStation 5

Andy Nguyen successfully ported Linux to the PlayStation 5 by exploiting vulnerabilities in Sony’s security architecture. The PS5 runs Linux kernel 6.19, allowing a full desktop experience with support for standard Linux applications. Once Linux is booted, the console behaves almost like a regular PC.

All USB ports are functional, so keyboards, mice, and external drives work without issue. Audio and video output through HDMI is fully supported, with resolutions up to 4K. This setup allows users to run applications like web browsers, productivity software, and even coding tools alongside games. By running Ubuntu on the PS5, Nguyen demonstrated that the console hardware is versatile and powerful enough to handle both gaming and general-purpose computing tasks.

Performance: GTA V with Ray Tracing

To showcase the potential of Linux on the PS5, Nguyen ran GTA V Enhanced Edition at High RT (ray tracing) settings. The performance metrics achieved are remarkable:

Resolution: 1440p
Frame rate: 60 FPS stable
Ray tracing: Enabled

Running GTA V at these settings demonstrates that the PS5’s AMD Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU are capable of delivering desktop-like gaming performance under Linux. The system was able to maintain consistent frame rates even in graphically intense scenes, proving that the APU can handle modern games when freed from Sony’s proprietary software. This performance is particularly impressive considering the thermal and power limitations of the PS5 Slim model used in testing.

Hardware Configuration and Thermal Limits

The Linux-powered PS5 configuration tested included:

CPU clock: 3.2 GHz (base), up to 3.5 GHz
GPU clock: 2.0 GHz (base), up to 2.23 GHz

While the CPU and GPU can theoretically be pushed to higher frequencies, testing revealed that this leads to rapid overheating on the PS5 Slim. Therefore, the system is typically kept at base clocks to ensure stability and longevity.

The experiment also highlighted the efficiency of the PS5’s APU design. Even at base clocks, the console was able to deliver high-resolution gaming with smooth frame rates and responsive input. This shows the potential for using console hardware in more open, general-purpose computing scenarios without sacrificing performance.

How the PS5 Security Was Bypassed

Installing Linux on the PS5 required bypassing several layers of Sony’s security protections. Nguyen leveraged the Byepervisor exploit, which targets the PS5 hypervisor. This method allows a custom operating system to run without modifying the hardware.

The process involves several steps:

UMTX exploit – triggered through WebKit or a specially crafted Blu-ray disc, enabling execution of unsigned ELF binaries.
Launching byepervisor.elf – places the console into a controlled recovery state.
Booting Linux – once in this recovery state, Ubuntu can be loaded and run on the console.

This chain only works on older PS5 firmware versions (typically firmware older than two years). Sony has patched these vulnerabilities in newer updates, so this method cannot be used on the latest consoles.

This process demonstrates a deep understanding of console security architecture and highlights the challenges of bypassing a system designed to prevent unauthorized code execution.

Enabling the PS5 GPU on Linux

One of the biggest challenges was enabling the custom AMD GPU of the PS5 under Linux. Nguyen developed a set of Mesa patches, which are part of the open-source graphics stack used by Linux for OpenGL and Vulkan.

These patches allow Linux to fully utilize the GPU, unlocking hardware acceleration for modern games and high-end applications. With these modifications, games like GTA V can run with advanced graphical features like ray tracing, demonstrating that the PS5 GPU can perform at levels similar to desktop GPUs in a Linux environment.

The patches are currently being submitted for official inclusion in Mesa, which would make future Linux experiments on the PS5 much easier and more stable.

Understanding the PS5 Boot Architecture

The PS5 has a highly secure boot process designed to prevent unauthorized code execution:

BootROM verification: The bootloader’s digital signature is checked using cryptographic keys embedded in the hardware.
Hypervisor control: Even after passing BootROM, the hypervisor maintains strict control over the system.

Nguyen’s exploit targets vulnerabilities in the hypervisor stage, bypassing these security checks without physically modifying the console. This highlights the sophistication of modern console security and the technical skill required to run Linux on the PS5.

A Glimpse into the Future

Modern consoles like the PS5 are essentially powerful PCs in disguise. Running Linux on them reveals the potential of console hardware when freed from proprietary constraints.

While this project is currently a proof-of-concept for researchers and enthusiasts, it opens the door for alternative uses of console hardware, such as:

Gaming on Linux with access to Steam and PC-exclusive titles
Using consoles as development machines for software or game testing
Running productivity and multimedia applications on high-performance hardware

The PS5’s combination of AMD Zen 2 CPU, RDNA 2 GPU, and 16 GB GDDR6 memory makes it versatile enough to rival many mid-range gaming PCs, especially when unlocked through Linux.

Conclusion

The PS5 Linux project by Andy Nguyen proves that modern gaming consoles are far more versatile than their default environments suggest. By running Ubuntu 24.04.4, leveraging the AMD APU, and using Mesa GPU patches, the console can handle demanding PC games like GTA V with ray tracing at 60 FPS, while also functioning as a fully capable Linux desktop.

This experiment highlights the potential of console hardware beyond its intended use, showing that with ingenuity and technical skill, closed systems can be transformed into powerful, open computing platforms—blurring the line between console and PC gaming like never before.