LAN-Ready PC Build: Lightweight Guide for Esports

Heading to a LAN party shouldn't feel like you're moving house. We’ve all been there… dragging a massive, heavy tower across the parking lot, praying you don’t drop your pride and joy. What if your next rig was powerful enough for high-refresh-rate esports, yet light enough to carry with ease? This guide is all about crafting the perfect LAN-ready PC build—a lightweight, compact powerhouse designed for victory on the go. 🚀

Xigmatek Cubi M Arctic Mid Tower Gaming Case - White / Supports Motherboards up to M-ATX, Mini-ITX / 6 Pre-Installed ARGB Fans Included / EN42805

R1499.00In Stock

Deepcool CH510 Mid-Tower ATX Computer Case/ Gaming Cabinet - White | Support - Mini-ITX / Micro-ATX / ATX / E-ATX | Pre-Installed 1 x 120mm Rear Fan / CH510 WH

R1199.00In Stock

Evetech Reeve ARGB Mid-Tower Gaming Case - Silver / 6 Pre-installed 120mm ARGB Fans / 450mm GPU Clearance / Supports Motherboards up to E-ATX / 7 Expansion Slots for Maximum Flexibility / Vertical and Horizontal GPU Mounting Bracket / WS462B

R2499.00In Stock

Fractal Design Define 7 Mini Black - Light Tinted Tempered Glass - Brushed Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX Silent Window Mini Tower Computer Case - 2 x Pre-Installed Fans Included / FD-C-DEF7M-02

R2199.00In Stock

Gamdias Aura GC3 Elite Tempered Glass ATX Gaming Case - Black / Supports Motherboards up to ATX / Mesh Front Panel / Magnetic Dust Filter / 4 Built-in 120mm ARGB Fan / Dual Front Panel Light Strips Design / AURA-GC3-ELITE

R999.00In Stock

Evetech BASE Standard ATX PC Case / 400W Power Supply / 1x 120mm Fan / 3x 2.5" Drive Bays And 2x 3.5" Drive Bays / 1x USB 3.0 + 2x USB 2.0 / 1x Headphone-out & 1x Audio-in Jack / Supports 7 Expansion Slot

R699.00In Stock

The Core of a Portable Build: The Chassis

Your journey to a lightweight esports PC starts with the case. Forget those full-tower behemoths; the secret lies in Small Form Factor (SFF) or compact Micro-ATX designs. These cases are engineered to minimise footprint and weight without sacrificing critical airflow for your components. Your choice here dictates everything else, from motherboard size to GPU length.

A compact option like the Cooler Master E301 Mini Tower is a great example of balancing size, airflow, and style. When planning your LAN-ready PC build, look for features like mesh panels for better ventilation and a smart internal layout that makes building less of a headache. Exploring Cooler Master's range of cases often reveals innovative designs perfect for portable gaming.

Optimising Components for a Lightweight Esports PC

Once you've chosen a compact chassis, every other component choice must follow suit. It's a fun puzzle of fitting maximum performance into a minimal space.

Corsair iCUE LINK 5000T LX RGB Mid-Tower High-Performance Gaming E-ATX PC Case - White / Sleek, uniquely contoured steel chassis / Supports Motherboards up to E-ATX / Integrated Aurora RGB Light Strips / Removable mesh front and roof high airflow panels / 3 x Pre-Installed RGB Fan Included / CC-9011299-WW

R6399.00In Stock

Fractal Design North Chalk White With Mesh Side Panel Case - Sleek wood and alloy for Enhanced Aesthetics - ATX, mATX, ITX Compatible - Easy-release design - Fits GPU Up to 355mm - No Fans Included - FD-C-NOR1C-03

R2999.00In Stock

Gamemax Leader 2 E-ATX Mid-Tower Gaming Case - White / Tempered Glass Side Panel / Support 9×120mm or 8×140mm Fan Mounts / 4 Pre-installed 140mm ARGB Fans + Dedicated Controller / E-ATX, ATX(+ BTF), M-ATX(+ BTF), ITX Motherboard Support / ATX PSU Support / LEADER-2-WH

R1599.00In Stock

DeepCool CC360 M-ATX Airflow case, 3X Pre-Installed 120mm ARGB Fans, Tempered Glass Side Panel, Magnetic Top Mesh Filter, USB 3.0, White - CC360 ARGB WH

R699.00In Stock

Fractal Design Meshify 3 Ambience Pro RGB Tempered Glass E-ATX Mid-Tower Gaming Cabinet Case with Three Pre-Installed 140mm Fans and Detachable Front Filter - Black / FD-C-MES3A-03

R3899.00In Stock

Antec NX410 ATX Mid-Tower Tempered Glass Gaming Case - Supports up to 6 Fans - CPU Cooler Support: Up To 168 mm - PSU Support: Up To 165 mm - LED Control Button - 3 x Include ARGB LED Fans — White / 0-761345-81042-5

R1199.00In Stock

Motherboard and Power Supply

For a truly tiny build, a Mini-ITX motherboard is your go-to. If you want a bit more room for expansion, Micro-ATX is a fantastic compromise. Pair your board with a high-quality SFX (Small Form Factor) power supply. These PSUs are significantly smaller than standard ATX units, freeing up precious internal space and reducing the overall weight of your build. For those looking for budget-friendly options, brands like GameMax also offer excellent value in the compact case market.

GPU and Cooling Considerations

This is where things get interesting. Fitting a high-end graphics card into a small case can be a challenge. Always check the maximum GPU length supported by your chosen chassis before you buy. Many manufacturers now produce shorter, "mini" versions of popular cards that are perfect for a LAN-ready PC build.

Fractal Design Meshify 2 Black ATX Flexible Light Tinted Tempered Glass Window Mid Tower Computer Case / 3 x Pre-Installed Fans Included / FD-C-MES2A-03

R2699.00In Stock

Xigmatek Gaming Y Pro Arctic Mid Tower Gaming Case - White / Supports Motherboards up to E-ATX / 4 x Pre-Installed Fans Included / EN42256

R1699.00In Stock

Fractal Design Era 2 Silver, 2 x 120 mm or 2 x 140, GPU max length of 326mm, ITX Motherboard Compatible / 1 x Pre-Installed Fan Included / FD-C-ERA2N-01

R1799.00In Stock

Cooler Master MasterBox K501L ARGB Mid Tower ATX Gaming Case with Pre-Installed Two ARGB Fans, PSU Shroud and Tempered Glass Side Panel / MCB-K501L-KGNN-SR3

R1499.00In Stock

Cooler Master TD300 Mesh Micro-ATX Tower with Polygonal Mesh Front ana Removable Top Panel, ARGB/PWM Hub Tempered Glass, 2 x Sickleflow PWM ARGB Lighting Fans Included / TD300-KGNN-S00

R999.00In Stock

Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact Black ATX Flexible High-Airflow Light Tinted Tempered Glass Window Mid Tower Computer Case - 3 x Pre-Installed Fans Included - FD-C-MES2C-03

R2199.00In Stock

For cooling, a low-profile air cooler is often the most reliable and space-efficient choice. While some SFF cases can accommodate small AIO liquid coolers, a quality air cooler provides excellent performance without the extra complexity or weight. The goal is a simple, robust, and lightweight machine you can trust. Once you have your parts list, it's time to find the perfect home for them and explore our full selection of computer cases.