How many bits does a 64-bit processor typically use for addressing memory?

A 64-bit processor typically uses 64 bits for addressing memory. This is because the '64-bit' designation refers to the width of the processor's registers, which affects the amount of data it can process and the size of memory addresses. In a 64-bit architecture, the processor can generate a large number of unique memory addresses, specifically 2^64, which allows for a theoretical maximum of 16 exabytes of addressable memory space.

This capability is essential because it allows the processor to handle larger amounts of RAM, thus improving overall system performance and efficiency. As technology advances and more applications require significant memory resources, the ability to address larger memory spaces becomes increasingly important.