Mining on PlayStation and other consoles

PS and Xbox are sold at a price below the cost of the hardware. The basis of manufacturers’ income is the trade of games in official stores. Consoles have a closed OS and limited functionality, but users have learned how to hack them and install Linux. If you replace the system, you can run mining on Sony Playstation consoles, as the console turns into a regular PC. The main thing is to figure out how to bypass the protection and remove the official firmware.

Characteristics of the PS4 and PS5 consoles

Game consoles have a unique architecture of the graphics system. Determine the approximate hash rate can only be determined in comparison with similarly powerful GPUs.

With these parameters, PS should produce about 180 MH/S on KHeavyHash, 32.2 MH/S on Ethash, and 500 Mh/s on Blake3. This is a weak result considering power consumption. However, it will earn about $0.15-0.2 per day if the kW price is no more than $0.1.

The new PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles are equipped with more powerful graphics chips. However, they are still far from NVIDIA’s top-of-the-line graphics cards. Because of this, mining on a $500+ gaming console often doesn’t make sense. The benefits are disproportionate to the initial investment, and the payback time is longer or at the edge of the lifespan.

The game console produces approximately 56.5 MH/S on Ethash, 330 MH/S on KHeavyHash, and 21 MH/S on KawPow. Due to the increased power consumption (more than 1.5 times when comparing to GPUs), it is unprofitable to mine coins on PS5.

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Is it theoretically possible to mine on consoles

The closed OS will not allow you to install programs not from the built-in store, so it will not be possible to install a miner from a flash drive. After “tearing down” the official system, the console will work as a computer. It will be possible to install any software on it without problems.

In Russia there is article 273 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which prohibits hacking copyrighted programs and devices. It was used to convict a resident of Lipetsk who tried to sell a modified PS3. He received one year of restricted freedom and a fine of 15 thousand.

Other countries have similar laws, because of which it is not recommended to hack the console. However, it is technically possible. Enthusiasts immediately after the release of new devices find vulnerabilities that allow you to remove the original OS.

Mining on PlayStation 5 and other consoles is possible only after installing Linux. It is more difficult to do this on PS than on Xbox. Microsoft has provided a developer mode and cares less about the security of devices. Sony, on the other hand, has improved the operating system after the release of PS4. It is almost impossible to hack it.

OS version 4.5 for PS4 was weak in terms of security. However, then there was a more reliable 5.05. If a miner bought a console in 2013 and did not update it, then in 99% of cases the hack will be successful. Slim and Pro versions went on sale already with improved protection.

For the latest versions of the PS, an exploit through the browser was invented. It does not change the OS, but completely seizes control of the device and allows you to install any programs from a flash drive. This method is not suitable for miners. PlayStation will detect the hack and will stop connecting to the Internet.

What tokens can be mined

Consoles are equipped with a graphics system and a processor, so they “dig” all PoW coins. The main thing is to determine the approximate benefit of mining cryptocurrency. Not all tokens are equally profitable. The performance is affected by the value of the coin, the hash rate of the blockchain and the farm.

To find out the most profitable tokens, it is worth using Whattomine and look at similar GPUs in terms of power.

For mining on consoles, cryptocurrencies with ASIC-resistance and a heavy BAT file are suitable. Unlike Bitcoin, they are not mined with integrated circuits, so the hash rate is not as high. There are 3 tokens worth “digging” in 2023:

Is it worth doing

The console can be hacked and configured for mining. However, the profitability of this option is questionable. The high cost of the console and the relatively low hash rate of the built-in graphics device lead to the fact that it will not be possible to pay it off in the current conditions. The only way to make a profit is to mine cryptocurrency in regions with low electricity prices.

For example, in Irkutsk, the cost of a kW is $0.018.

If you use the console in Moscow, you will not be able to pay off the device. New PS5 and Xbox Series X require more energy than video cards with similar performance. You can reduce the electricity consumption of the processor and other parts that are not used for mining. However, in this case, the profit will be minimal.

In Irkutsk, a miner will earn up to $0.25, and in Moscow – about $0.01. Even after moving the equipment to Siberia, where electricity is cheap, a minimum of 2400 days of operation will be required. The timeframe is determined assuming that the Kaspa price of $0.0169946 (as of March 30, 2023) will not change in the future.

This does not take into account the commissions of pools, without which it makes no sense to mine cryptocurrency on a set-top box. Solo mining in 2023 is unpopular even among large companies, because the hash rate of decentralized networks is too high for single operation. Finding a block with a single console or even 10-20 pieces is impossible in a highly competitive environment.

Source of information about coin mining via consoles

You can learn about the appearance of new exploits for hacking consoles on thematic forums (MiningClub, Mipped). It is also worth tracking sites dedicated to games. They review new consoles and hacking methods, but do not tell you whether you can mine on Sony Playstation consoles. If there are vulnerabilities in the operating system, then connecting to the pool will not be a problem.

Mining on PlayStation, Xbox and other consoles

Only Sony and Microsoft devices are used for mining cryptocurrencies. Nintendo does not mine on Nintendo due to its low processing power. However, they can also be hacked with special software and even by installing a new chip. Approximate revenue (at $0.01/kW) of devices per day:

• Series X – $0.29.
• Xbox One – $0.16.
• PlayStation 4 – $0.17.
• PS5 – $0.19.

Theoretical basis of mining on consoles

Extraction of cryptocurrency is the enumeration of multiple values. Any device is capable of doing this. An enthusiast has even set up mining on a 1989 Nintendo Game Boy.

The only difficulty is the installation of software. Developers are trying to block all ways to re-flash the device. Hackers find new vulnerabilities, but Sony and Microsoft promptly eliminate them. Because of this, you should not update the software until third-party developers create an exploit.

How to start mining

It will take about 1-2 hours to install Linux and set up coin mining. It is worth noting that exploits are unstable. It is not always possible to re-flash the gadget on the first try. Xbox hacking instructions:

1. Make a bootable Linux image and transfer it to a DVD-R.
2. Copy FatX to Xbox.
3. Insert the disk and type su to access the admin panel.
4. Use the XBOXLinuxInstaller command.
5. Run the Linux installation and wait for it to complete.

If the OS works properly, you only need to download the miner and configure GPU mining. To do this, create a configuration in a BAT file and connect to the pool.

Why mining on consoles is difficult

Mining cryptocurrencies is difficult because developers and “white” hackers identify and eliminate vulnerabilities. The first versions of the OS often have weaknesses. PS5 turned out to have old problems noticed back in PS4. However, the next update eliminated the possibility of hacking through a vulnerability in the graphics kernel software.

What you need to do to implement the idea

You need to disable automatic updates, prepare a bootable Linux image and throw it on a disk. You should also find a cheap source of power and ways to increase its efficiency.

Frequent user questions

📢 Will the warranty remain after reflashing?

No, the service center will deny service.

📌 How can I make mining cheaper?

You can move the farm to a cold balcony or garage to save on the cooling system. It’s also worth downloading Ethminer, which mines coins without commission.

🔔 Do I need additional cooling?

If the air temperature in the room is not more than 20 degrees, you don’t need to buy new fans.

⚡ What coins are mined on the console processor?

✨ Should I use used consoles?

No. It is impossible to check their condition visually. Old equipment is more likely to fail than bring a net profit.

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Author: Saifedean Ammous, an expert in cryptocurrency economics.