Yes, you can connect NAS-stored games to your PC via Ethernet for direct access.
Yes, you can connect NAS-stored games to your PC via Ethernet for direct access.
I connected my NAS to my desktop using an Ethernet cable and was able to play games smoothly. The connection works well, but I’m concerned about potential issues with bandwidth or performance.
Additionally, certain games or launchers refuse to operate from a network share.
If your NAS supports iSCSI, it behaves similarly to a local hard drive. However, iSCSI shares are limited to one networked device, so you’d need to set up a separate dataset or storage area on the NAS and share that specific section via iSCSI. The available bandwidth is sufficient, but latency and IOPS through the Ethernet stack aren’t exceptional. It would function, though performance might feel like older PCs with slower drives—games could load normally or cause noticeable lag depending on the title.
I wouldn't rely on every launcher, as some won't work and those that do may face performance problems. It's often better to keep files saved locally. With Steam, you can easily transfer games to another drive and use a network share, then move them back when needed. We commonly experience latency at work when big files are stored on a server. I frequently handle large scan files and projects, but the software struggles with the delay, leading to instability, slowness, or failure to complete tasks.