How to Mine Bitcoin on a PS5 | Is It Even Possible?
You've heard whispers on the wind from tech enthusiasts: crypto is where the money's at these days. And your PlayStation 5 is an absolute beast, so why not try and use it for mining Bitcoin when you're not gaming? After all, PS5 feature high-end GPUs and technology primarily designed for intensive games, so there's no reason why you can't try to mine cryptocurrency using it.
Since traditional cryptocurrency mining equipment is not easy to come by, many prospective miners have come to explore unconventional mining methods for mining Ethereum or Bitcoin, including the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and even the Nintendo Switch, due to their high-end GPUs and horsepower.
While using these consoles may seem cost-effective and more efficient on paper for crypto farming, we'll explore why we wouldn't recommend Bitcoin mining using a PS5 and the pros and cons of doing so.
What Is Bitcoin Mining?
First things first: what is Bitcoin mining, and why do people even do it? Mining cryptocurrency isn't exclusive to Bitcoin; it can be for Ethereum, Dogecoin, Solana, or most other popular cryptos.
Crypto mining is the process of verifying, validating, and recording transactions on the blockchain by solving complex mathematical equations. The reward? Bitcoin to exchange for IRL cash or HODL for more value. Sounds like easy money, right?
In the early days, people mined Bitcoin and crypto using basic desktop computers and laptops for a home-friendly dedicated mining rig. The computational power required wasn't insane back then, so anyone could join in and start mining crypto from the comfort of home.
But now? Crypto mining has become an arms race, requiring dedicated mining rigs with specialized hardware called ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) and high-performance GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) to successfully mine even a single Bitcoin.
Can You Actually Mine Crypto on a PlayStation 5?
The crypto community is buzzing as recent whispers on the Internet have been blowing up, with gossip about how some Chinese hackers know how to transform the PlayStation 5 console system into a mining rig to mine crypto like Bitcoin. But do these rumors hold any weight?
There's no denying that the PS5 is an absolute beast when it comes to next-gen console gaming, thanks to its hardware. It boasts an AMD Ryzen Zen 2 CPU and a custom RDNA 2 GPU, which are more than enough to deliver a smooth 60 FPS experience on your favorite titles like VALORANT. However, an (obvious) obstacle is blocking the way: these PS5 components are optimized purely for gaming, not cryptocurrency mining.
Crypto farms for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies rely on brute-force computational software to solve the complex mathematical questions on the blockchain using a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism to validate transactions, with some mining rigs operating around the clock to passively farm crypto.
While the PlayStation 5's GPU is elite at rendering realistic in-game worlds and graphics, it's not built for the demand of the heavy, continuous number-crunching that crypto mining entails.
To even mine a fraction of a Bitcoin, your console would have to be engaging in mining operations 24/7 at full-throttle. The hash rate for a PS5 is also considerably lower than what's needed for effective cryptocurrency mining. The best ASIC crypto farmers achieve hash rates in the terahash zone; far beyond what a PlayStation 5 is capable of.
Think of the sheer energy consumption and costs running your PS5 24/7 would rack up, far out-weighing any profits you'd hope to earn through cryptocurrency mining.
Pros and Cons of Crypto Mining on a PS5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gaming hardware with powerful GPU | Not designed for mining Bitcoin or other crypto |
| PS5s are (now) readily available and on the cheaper side compared to traditional mining rigs | Jailbreaking required, which voids the warranty and risks damaging to console |
| Theoretically possible for mining some altcoins | Electricity costs outweigh the profits |
| Potential fun experiment for those willing to risk their PS5 | Overheating risks from running at full throttle, which could reduce the consoles lifespan |
| - | Low profitability, as the PS5's computational power wouldn't regenerate significant returns compared to ASICs used by a day-to-day miner |
| - | Significant carbon footprint and environmental impacts |
Overall, you'd have to essentially break your PS5 through these crypto mining modifications, which would also contribute to the overall cost of operations. It may also void warranty and lead to a loss of technical support through the jailbreaking and other modifications required.
How to Mine Bitcoin on a PS5?
If you still want to try your luck and attempt cryptocurrency mining on a PS5, who are we to stop you?
Here are some steps you'd have to follow to transform your PS5 into a semi-operational mining rig and have the best chance of mining crypto.
This includes jail-breaking your console with some serious software and firmware modifications that could permanently damage your console and void your warranty—you have been warned!
- Connecting to the Internet: Crypto mining demands an ongoing interaction with the blockchain network, thereby the Internet, so your PlayStation 5 will need a secure and reliable broadband connection. No WiFi here—using an Ethernet cable would be best!
- Create a Crypto Wallet: If you don't already have one, create a crypto wallet to store your Bitcoin and other crypto you might mine. There are dozens of wallet options available; our favorites are MetaMask, Phantom, or Trust Wallet.
- Install Linux: Since the PlayStation 5 has closed systems, you'll have to hack into your PlayStation 5 system to replace its firmware with the open-source Linux system to allow for third-party mining software. This action is not officially supported and can be difficult, voiding your warranty.
- Develop or Install Mining Software: You'll have to install a dedicated Bitcoin mining software onto your PlayStation 5. The most popular ones used by many crypto miners include CGMiner or BFGMiner. These programs are not readily compatible with PS5 consoles, so you'll need to modify or create new code to suit the PS5 architecture. This is only really feasible if you're a software expert with the technical know-how or can hire someone to develop this code.
- Configure the PlayStation 5: Configuration involves setting up a mining pool and adjusting your new mining software to work alongside the PS5's existing hardware. Selecting the right mining pool is essential as they differ in fees, payouts, and compatibility.
- Adjusting the Cooling System: Mining cryptocurrencies generates a lot of heat, and you don't want your PS5 to blow up in your face, losing your progress. PS5 consoles are also not built to withstand high temperatures and extreme demands like crypto mining. Custom cooling systems are available to prevent overheating. However, these will void your warranty and likely damage your console permanently once installed. There's no going back!
A PS5-Mining Alternative
If you don't want to risk your precious PS5 for the sake of mining a fraction of a Bitcoin, there is a similar alternative you can use. However, it comes at a hefty cost.
ASRock is promoting new AMD-based cryptocurrency mining rigs, which use defective PS5 CPUs and other equipment. It's been revealed that these servers, which cost around $15K, are equipped with AMD BC-250 APUs (Accelerated Processing Units), 16GB of RAM, and two 1,200W power supplies. They're stated to be "quality computers for bitcoin mining projects with a promise by known corporation ASRock."
Final Thoughts
Just because it's possible to start cryptocurrency mining with a PS5 doesn't mean you should. The pros far outweigh the cons, especially when comparing the console's specs and output to traditional mining rigs for Bitcoin and other crypto.
The technical difficulties, overheating potential, and electricity costs outweigh any benefits you or any other potential cryptocurrency miners could hope to obtain.
If your ultimate goal is to become the next Bitcoin king, your best bet is to invest in a specialist mining rig with all the advanced hardware you need to start mining. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the PlayStation 5 is best kept for its intended purposes: to play games, not industrial-scale computing. Mining Bitcoin? Leave that to the pros and their purpose-built mining rigs.
Now you've had a rundown of why cryptocurrency mining on a PlayStation 5 isn't the most practical thing in the world. Do you want to dive into more crypto-related news, farm $NUTZ, or make your next move? You know where to find us — right here at Rivalry.com. Play smart and stay winning! GL HF.
FAQs about Crypto and Bitcoin Mining
Can you use anything to mine crypto?
In a video, YouTuber Stacksmashing turned his 32-year-old GameBoy into a Bitcoin mining rig. With just an external USB, a Raspberry Pi Pico, and some custom software, he proved that if you try hard enough, you can mine Bitcoin on almost anything. Before you get any ideas, though, it would take about a trillion years to mine just one Bitcoin with that setup. Definitely not a solid or reliable money-making method!
How many Bitcoins are left for mining?
In 2025, there are around 1.1 million Bitcoins left to mine out of a total of 21 million cap. The last Bitcoin likely won't be mined until 2140, so while the click's ticking, there's still time!
Is Bitcoin mining profitable?
These days, you need specialized hardware and cheap electricity to even think about making a profit through mining Bitcoin.
What are Bitcoin mining pools?
Bitcoin mining pools are essentially a team effort. Instead of going solo to mine Bitcoin by yourself (which would take months or even years), crypto miners can join forces and combine their computing power to solve the mathematical blockchain puzzles and earn crypto faster. When the mining pool successfully mines a block, the rewards (aka crypto) are split between all members based on how much computing power they contributed to the cause.
