This paper investigates the dynamical properties of the Eta model, a state-of-the-art nested limited-area model, following the approach previously developed by the present authors. It is shown that the intrinsic dynamics of the model depends crucially on the size of the domain, with a non-chaotic behavior for small domains, supporting earlier findings o the absence of sensitivity to the initial conditions in these models. For such domains, the role of the boundary conditions is predominant in reproducing the natural variability of the atmosphere. For large domains, an intrinsic unstable dynamics is recovered that is only slightly modulated by the boundary conditions. The quality of the predictions of several ETA model versions differing by their domain size is next evaluated and compared with the Avn analyses on a targeted region, centered on France. Contrary to wait is usually taken for granted, a non-trivial relation between predictability and domain size is found, the best model versions being the ones integrated on the slimmest orthe largest domain sizes. An explanation in connection with the intrinsic dynamics of the model is advanced.