Peneliti keamanan Andy Nguyen (TheFlow0) telah mem-port Linux ke konsol PlayStation 5 dengan firmware lama menggunakan exploit komunitas, mengubahnya menjadi mesin yang kompatibel dengan Steam. Didemonstrasikan pada 6 Maret 2026, pengaturan ini menjalankan Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced dengan ray tracing di 4K 60fps—melampaui performa native PS5—sambil mempertahankan dukungan I/O penuh, meskipun berisiko overheating pada clock puncak, terutama pada model PS5 Slim.
Andy Nguyen, dikenal secara online sebagai TheFlow0, mengumumkan di Twitter pada 6 Maret 2026: «Saya mem-port Linux ke PS5 dan mengubahnya menjadi Steam Machine. Menjalankan GTA 5 Enhanced dengan Ray Tracing.» Proof-of-concept ini memanfaatkan exploit seperti Byepervisor dari komunitas PS5Dev, terbatas pada versi firmware awal (misalnya, 1.xx atau 2.xx), dan tidak mendukung firmware baru atau model PS5 Pro. The Linux installation utilizes the Proton compatibility layer to run PC games smoothly on the PS5's AMD Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU. GTA V Enhanced achieves 'smooth as silk' performance at 4K resolution and 60fps with ray tracing enabled, outperforming the stock PS5's 30fps Fidelity mode. Nguyen also demonstrated the RPCS3 emulator running the PS3 version of GTA San Andreas. The setup supports 4K HDMI video/audio output and all USB ports, with stable clocks at 3.2 GHz CPU and 2.0 GHz GPU; boosts to 3.5 GHz CPU and 2.23 GHz GPU enable higher performance but cause rapid overheating, particularly on horizontal PS5 Slim units due to optimized cooling. Nguyen developed the code directly on a PS5, showcasing the console's untapped PC-like potential for gaming, emulation, and productivity via Steam. However, practical barriers include firmware restrictions, technical complexity, warranty voidance, and hardware risks—Sony and AMD are reportedly aware but avoid unlocking such performance to prevent increased failure rates. Sony's recent PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upgrade on PS5 Pro offers similar enhancements for games like GTA V without modding risks. This effort predates official Valve console initiatives, with reports noting Sony effectively 'beat Valve to the punch,' though the process remains far from user-friendly.
