what’s up with these motherboards that only have 1 or 2 fan power plugs? is there any way around this lack of plugs problem (besides buying a more expensive MB)?
Yeah you can purchase fans that use a 4-pin molex connector and connect it to your power supply.
they also sell adapters that will convert the small 3 pin to a 4 pin molex if this helps any.
as cube_ said you can connect your fans to the power supply, I always do that .
You can also get splitters for these connectors to hook up more fans. look at these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Gelid-Solutions-1-to-4-PWM-PC-Case-Fan-Splitter-Cable-/190924321041?pt=UK_Computing_Case_Fans&hash=item2c73f9f111
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Computer-PC-Case-fan-extension-3-PIN-FAN-POWER-Y-SPLITTER-1-Male-to-2-Female- /251008876636?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item3a714b805c
Don’t worry about the 4pin connector they will both work with 3pin connectors.