Today's computers are faster and faster and they keep making the chips and electronic parts smaller and more condensed. The smaller things get, the hotter they usually run. So that is why we have the huge fans all over the place in most computers.
10 years ago, we usually had one small fan on the CPU and maybe a case fan. Some only had one fan, and those came from Dell, HP or other main brand names. But they did not need to keep the computer as cool as we do today.
There are 3 main fans in the computer, and there can be more. The first fan is the CPU fan, and that keeps the Central Processing Unit (main brain) cool and running.
The second fan is the case fan. There are several sizes and all pretty standard. They will be at the rear of the computer and/or at the front of the computer. They take cool air from the front of the computer and blow it across all the hot parts inside, then when the air is heated up, the fan on the back blows it out the backside.
Some computers only have the one at the rear, and it just pulls the air from the front of the computer, out the back. 
The final fan is in the Power Supply. The power supply is the box at the top rear of most standard towers. This is where you plug in the 110VAC from the wall, and this magic box converts the power into DC to power all of the parts of the computer. The power supply runs VERY hot and needs at least one fan, sometimes two to keep it cool.
Every fan we have talked about is critical to the computer working well, and not getting fried. If the CPU or memory or hard drive overheat, it can be catastrophic and you could lose all your data and need a whole new computer because the motherboard or CPU got too toasty!
The problem is, with a computer that is 2-3 years old, replacing the motherboard and or CPU is usually as much as getting a new Motherboard and CPU. So it really pays to make sure your fans are working well.
How do I tell if my fans are ok?
Number one, you will hear them. If they are getting loud, humming and just odd loud obnoxious noises, those are usually from the fan. The hard drive is the other thing that can give you obvious sounds if it is going bad, but it is usually high pitched, whiny type noises or scraping or clicking.
Can I prevent the fans from dying?
You can by cleaning out your computer quarterly or at least 2 times a year. If you unplug the computer, remove the case side, and you can carefully use canned air or an air compressor on low pressure. Hold the fan with one hand while you blow the dust off.
Making the fans sound like a cartoon Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnng is not good for the fan. Carefully vacuuming out the bottom of the case and around the fan is not as good, but it still helps.
Also, keep your computer off the floor, about 8 inches or more, that will help. Be careful keeping your computer in one of those desk alcove type areas. These desks or cabinets do not provide good air circulation and the computer needs good cool air to work well.
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