in computer science, 64-bit computing refers to a microprocessor's data stream. it means an operating system can use more computer memory at one time. this makes a 64-bit system much faster than a 32-bit system. a 32-bit system can only use up to 3.56 gigabytes of random-access memory (called ram or memory). a 64-bit system can use much more memory making it considerably faster. using an analogy, a 64-bit system is like a 64 line highway. if each bit were a car, it means 64 of them can move at the same time.