64 bit OS?

[BigT17]

hi i just have a quick question about my OS. Sorry if it is a noob question, but i just don't know. First what exactly is a 64 bit OS, and how can i tell if i am running a 64 bit OS on my computer?

 

i am running windows XP, and it a friend built it for me. (if that makes a difference/helps)

 

 

 

 

 

sorry if this is in the wrong place.

[Abramul]

  Vagrant0 said:

64 bit OS was made to take advantage of a 64bit processor architecture. If you had a 64 bit OS, when you booted up windows it would say something like "windows XP 64", or some other fairly obvious indicator. In the greater scheme of things, it really doesn't make much difference. Windows is just slightly faster at processing things... But will still be bogged down by things like ram, page file, running applications, and the windows OS.

Seem to remember hearing that it breaks the installers for Oblivion DLC...