A system for allocating memory (e.g., heap) in multi-core processors is provided. In some implementations, the system performs operations comprising receiving, at a shared cache having a plurality of segments, a first data allocation including a plurality of data blocks, and allocating at least a first and second data block from the first allocation. First and second segments in the shared cache can each comprise a plurality of data slots (e.g., of equal length). Allocating the first and second data blocks can include storing the first data block in a data slot of the first segment and storing the second data block in a data slot of the second segment. The plurality of data slots which do not contain data may contain padding, and/or the data slots to which the first and second data blocks are allocated are not adjacent. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.