An open source project called ps5-linux has just dropped on GitHub, and it does exactly what it says on the tin: it turns a PlayStation 5 into a Linux gaming machine. There are caveats, but the scope of what it pulls off is genuinely impressive.
The big one to know upfront is hardware compatibility. This only works on the original PS5 model, often called the PS5 Phat, and only on specific firmware versions. Firmware 3.xx is supported without M.2 SSD support, while 4.xx firmware versions, including 4.00, 4.02, 4.03, 4.50, and 4.51, are supported with M.2 access. Older 1.xx and 2.xx firmware may be added down the line, but is not a current priority. Firmware 5.xx is a possibility in the future, though with limitations that would require Linux to run inside a virtual machine with reduced feature access. Firmware 6.xx has no current support plans.
The project works by exploiting a patched hypervisor vulnerability to unlock the PS5‘s full hardware for desktop use. Once running, Linux has access to all eight CPU cores running at 3.5GHz across 16 threads, a GPU clocked at 2.23GHz, HDMI output at 4K60, all USB ports on the console, and M.2 SSD support on compatible firmware. The developers say the setup delivers enough performance to run Steam games and emulators with solid results.
If you have a launch PS5 sitting on an old enough firmware and have been curious about what else the hardware could do, this is about as far as that curiosity can currently go. The hardware inside the original PS5 is genuinely capable, and giving it a full Linux environment with Steam access makes for a very different machine than Sony shipped.
The project is available now on GitHub for anyone who wants to dig into the details or try it themselves.
Source: GitHub via Gaming On Linux
