Video game consoles are popular for their affordability and user-friendliness compared to PCs. However, their value would significantly increase if they could also function as a computer, perhaps with a dual-boot setup. Consoles typically have closed operating systems with limited functionality beyond gaming. Introducing an operating system like Linux could unlock a world of new possibilities.
This is indeed achievable on certain PlayStation 5 models, specifically the original ‘Phat’ versions, as recently demonstrated. Performance tests have now been conducted on Linux, showcasing gaming capabilities. Thanks to Proton and Steam, it’s possible to achieve FPS comparable to native PS5 games.
The ability to run Linux on the PlayStation 5 is a relatively recent development. While the method was shown months ago, it has only recently been refined into a stable build. A GitHub repository called ‘ps5-linux-loader’ leverages a hardware vulnerability patched in the original ‘Phat’ PS5 models (released before the Slim versions). This functionality is available for consoles with firmware versions 3.0 to 4.51. Be aware that this process requires specific steps and a significant amount of free space on your SSD.
Modified PS5 with Linux, Steam, and Proton Achieves Higher FPS Than Native Console Gaming
While the theoretical possibility of installing Linux on the PS5 was known, the latest video from Digital Foundry delves into the practical aspects and results. Initial benchmarks using Geekbench revealed a somewhat slow CPU performance, scoring 1,220 points in single-core and 7,566 points in multi-core. For comparison, a Ryzen 5 3600 achieves higher single-core scores (1,613 points). However, the PS5’s CPU, with its 8 cores, outperforms the Ryzen 5 3600 in multi-core performance (6,889 points vs. 7,566 points).
Moving on to game performance, the results for Black Myth: Wukong are striking. The PS5 in performance mode yields nearly the same FPS as the PS5 running on Linux with Proton, set to high graphics at 1080p. When utilizing the Boost mode, which raises the CPU frequency to 3.5 GHz and the GPU to 2.23 GHz, performance can even surpass native console gaming by up to 3%. This indicates that Linux with Proton is highly optimized, capable of matching native performance even when using a DirectX-to-Vulkan emulation layer.
Games like Crimson Desert Experience Rendering Issues, and Pragmata Shows FPS Drops and Stuttering Not Present on PS5
Despite the impressive results in Black Myth: Wukong, the overall experience is not entirely flawless, and the available bandwidth on Linux is a limiting factor. The PS5’s unified memory is not fully utilized, meaning texture quality changes can have a significant impact, ranging from a 5% to a 20% improvement when switching from high to low textures. In newer titles like Crimson Desert, although performance was better than on the PS5, Linux encountered graphical glitches.
Specifically, the sky in Crimson Desert renders incorrectly, which can be quite distracting, despite achieving frame rates between 33 and 38 FPS. In other games such as Pragmata, which was released recently, rendering appears to be correct, and performance seems stable. However, there is some minor stuttering, though it’s not overly severe.
