PC games on the PS5: A hack makes it possible

Microsoft’s next Xbox should also be able to play PC games. However, a modder is now proving that the PlayStation 5 can already do this. He successfully transformed his Sony console into a Linux gaming PC. Ray tracing and 60 FPS are possible.

‘PS5 PC’ with GTA 5

Following the leadership change at Xbox, new boss Asha Sharma announced Project Helix this week. This is the next game console from Microsoft. It could appear in 2027 and, according to Sharma, should also be able to play PC games. However, a modder now shows that the PlayStation 5 can already do this. The inventor successfully transformed his Sony console into a functional Linux computer. The system runs the PC version of Grand Theft Auto 5, achieving a stable 60 frames per second at a resolution of 1440p. With ray tracing activated, the project demonstrates that current consoles can technically keep up with capable mid-range PCs as soon as the software barriers are lifted.

A lot of effort is necessary

Provides details about the mod Andy Nguyen on X (via VideoCardz). The technical implementation uses the so-called Byepervisor exploit. This vulnerability allows code to be executed with the privileges of the hypervisor, which normally manages the secure separation between the operating system and hardware. This deep intervention allowed the modder to install a customized Linux distribution. In order to make gaming possible at all, extensive adjustments to the Mesa open source driver were necessary so that the console’s graphics unit would respond correctly in the foreign environment.

The result supports 4K output via HDMI, audio and the use of all USB ports. The developer, known in the scene as theflow0, operates the system with a processor clock of 3.2 gigahertz and a graphics clock of 2.0 gigahertz. Although the hardware would technically be capable of 3.5 gigahertz, the thermal limit of the PlayStation 5 Slim used prevents this. In order to ensure stability while playing and not cause the system to crash, the clock speeds remained reduced.

Strict limits on firmware

However, this conversion remains out of reach for most end users. The hack requires a complete exploit chain that only works on very old firmware versions in the 1.xx to 2.xx range. Consoles that have been updated for online services in recent years have long since closed these gaps. In addition, the special architecture with 16 gigabytes of shared GDDR6 memory represents a hurdle for many standard PC applications, as there is no strict separation between RAM and video memory.

Technically, however, the proximity to the PC is hardly surprising, as the Sony console is based on an adapted system-on-chip from AMD, which combines Zen 2 processor cores with RDNA 2 graphics technology. AMD sold remnants of these chips during the crypto boom as the BC-250 mining card. The boards were essentially a console without Sony’s locking mechanisms, proving the hardware to be fully PC compatible. Nguyen’s work now shows that this performance can also be found in regular merchandise.