Security engineer Andy Nguyen ported Linux to the PlayStation 5, running GTA V Enhanced Edition at 60 FPS with ray tracing enabled. Here are the supported firmware versions, hardware specs, and everything you need to know about the PS5-Linux project.
Security engineer Andy Nguyen, known online as TheFlow, has turned a PlayStation 5 into a fully functional Linux gaming PC. His open-source ps5-linux project, released publicly on GitHub in April 2026, exploits Sony’s hypervisor to unlock the console’s 8-core Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU for desktop use. In a proof-of-concept demonstration shared in March 2026, Nguyen ran GTA V Enhanced Edition at 60 FPS with ray tracing enabled on Ubuntu, proving the PS5’s hardware can perform well beyond Sony’s locked ecosystem.
What Exactly Is the PS5-Linux Project?
PS5-Linux is a complete toolchain for booting Ubuntu 24.04 on original PlayStation 5 hardware. The project includes a Linux payload that exploits a patched hypervisor vulnerability, a build script for creating a bootable image, M.2 SSD installation tools, and a fan and CPU/GPU boost control utility. Multiple contributors, including c0w, resulknad, flatz, and the fail0verflow and ps5-payload-dev teams, are credited alongside Nguyen.
Once running, the PS5 operates as a standard x86 Linux desktop. Users can install Steam, run PC games through Proton, and use emulators. Nguyen demonstrated GTA V Enhanced Edition running smoothly at 60 FPS with ray tracing, and Spider-Man at 1440p resolution at 60 FPS. Under the hood, the PS5 is essentially a locked-down x86-based PC, and this project proves what happens when those locks come off.
Which PS5 Models and Firmware Versions Are Supported?
Compatibility is the biggest limitation. PS5-Linux only works on the original disc-drive PS5 model, commonly known as the PS5 Phat. PS5 Slim and PS5 Digital Edition consoles are not supported. The firmware requirements are equally specific:
- Firmware 3.xx (3.00, 3.10, 3.20, 3.21): Supported without M.2 SSD access.
- Firmware 4.xx (4.00, 4.02, 4.03, 4.50, 4.51): Full support including M.2 SSD.
- Firmware 1.xx and 2.xx: May receive support later, but not a current priority.
- Firmware 5.xx: Possible future support, though Linux would run inside a virtual machine with reduced performance.
- Firmware 6.xx and above: No support plans at this time.
If your PS5 has been updated to firmware 5.xx or newer, you cannot currently use this project. Disabling automatic system updates is critical for anyone wanting to preserve an older firmware version. According to Tom’s Hardware, PS5 consoles cannot be downgraded, so the firmware your console is running right now determines whether this project is an option.
Hardware Performance Under Linux
The PS5’s AMD custom silicon delivers surprisingly strong performance when freed from Sony’s software constraints. Here is what the hardware provides under Linux:
| Component | Base Clock | Boost Clock |
|---|---|---|
| CPU (8-core, 16-thread Zen 2) | 3.2 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| GPU (RDNA 2, 36 CUs) | 2.0 GHz | 2.23 GHz |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 (unified) | |
Video and audio output works over HDMI at 1080p, 1440p, or 4K, though currently limited to 60 Hz. Nguyen has indicated that 120 Hz and 30 Hz options may be added in the future. All USB ports are functional. VRAM defaults to 512 MB with dynamic allocation. The bundled control tool allows manual CPU and GPU clock boosting alongside an adjustable fan curve.
Nguyen warns that users should always enable the fan profile when boosting, as the PS5’s cooling system was designed for Sony’s own power management. The PS5 Slim, in particular, lacks the thermal headroom for sustained boost clocks and overheats when pushed harder. PC Gamer also noted that Steam’s hardware monitoring overlay shows incorrect readings for GPU clock speeds, utilisation, VRAM levels, and temperatures under this setup.
How Does the Installation Process Work?
The setup is a multi-step technical process that requires familiarity with networking, command-line tools, and console exploits. According to Tom’s Hardware’s detailed breakdown, the installation follows this sequence:
- Initial code execution is achieved using the umtx2 jailbreak exploit.
- A fake DNS server and HTTPS host are set up on a local PC to intercept the PS5’s manual page lookup.
- The ps5-linux-loader payload is sent to the console over TCP.
- The console enters rest mode, indicated by a solid orange LED.
- Pressing the power button boots into Linux. A white LED confirms success.
Hardware requirements include a USB drive with at least 64 GB capacity (an external SSD is recommended for better performance), a USB Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter for internet connectivity, and a USB keyboard and mouse. The DualSense controller works through a Bluetooth dongle rather than the console’s built-in Bluetooth.
This is a soft mod, not a permanent installation. The exploit must be re-run every time you want to boot into Linux. When the console is powered off or restarted, the Linux session ends completely. The internal SSD is never modified, and a normal reboot returns the PS5 to its standard PlayStation operating system.
Sony’s Linux History: From OtherOS to PS5-Linux
This is not the first time Linux has run on a PlayStation console. Sony shipped the PlayStation 3 in 2006 with an official feature called OtherOS, which let users install Linux distributions like Yellow Dog Linux, Fedora, and Ubuntu directly on the hardware. The U.S. Air Force famously built a supercomputer cluster using PS3 consoles running Linux.
In April 2010, Sony removed OtherOS support through firmware update 3.21, citing security concerns following hacker George Hotz’s efforts to bypass the PS3’s protections. Users who refused the update lost access to PlayStation Network and newer games. Sony ultimately settled with affected users in 2016.
The PS5-Linux project reopens that door 16 years later, though entirely as an unofficial community effort. Sony has shown no indication of supporting or endorsing this kind of use, and the exploit relies on security vulnerabilities the company has already patched in newer firmware versions.
Timing and the Delayed Steam Machine
The release of ps5-linux coincides with ongoing delays to Valve’s second-generation Steam Machine. Valve announced the device in late 2025 with an early 2026 launch target. However, a global memory and storage shortage pushed the timeline back. Valve’s latest messaging states that it will ship “all three products this year,” but no firm date or final pricing has been confirmed.
With discrete GPU prices remaining elevated and the Steam Machine’s launch date still uncertain, a used PS5 Phat running old firmware represents a surprisingly capable alternative for Linux gamers willing to handle the technical setup. The PS5’s RDNA 2 GPU and Zen 2 CPU deliver performance comparable to what the Steam Machine is expected to offer, running SteamOS (also Linux-based) through Proton for broad Windows game compatibility.
Things Worth Knowing Before You Try
Is this about piracy?
No. The project focuses on running Linux as a desktop operating system on PS5 hardware. The goal is Ubuntu and Steam access, not pirated PlayStation games. The internal SSD and the PlayStation game library remain untouched.
Will this brick my console?
Nguyen states that the method does not carry a risk of permanently bricking the PS5. The internal storage is never modified, and a standard reboot returns the console to normal. That said, the process involves network configuration, command-line operations, and exploit payloads, so users without technical experience should proceed carefully.
Can I play Windows games on it?
Yes. Through Proton, Valve’s compatibility layer for Linux, a large library of Windows games runs on the Linux-powered PS5 via Steam. Some titles may even see a slight FPS improvement compared to native Windows performance, as is common with well-optimised Proton profiles.
Is 120 Hz output available?
Not yet. Output is currently limited to 60 Hz at 1080p, 1440p, or 4K. Nguyen has stated that 120 Hz and 30 Hz options may be added in future updates. Some monitors may also have HDMI compatibility issues at 1440p and 4K resolutions.
Who Is This Project For?
PS5-Linux is aimed at technically skilled users who happen to own an original PS5 on old firmware. It is not a simple plug-and-play solution. Every step, from jailbreaking to network configuration to boost management, requires hands-on knowledge. But for those who meet the requirements, it transforms a console gathering dust into a legitimate Linux gaming machine capable of running Steam titles at respectable settings.
The project is available on Andy Nguyen’s GitHub for anyone who wants to explore the code or attempt the setup. For players interested in the GTA ecosystem, GTA 5 Online accounts are available for secure trading on GamerMarkt.
