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My C++ program allocates memory in the heap to the order of 1.64 GB. Under task manager performance, it quotes free physical memory at 2.43 GB. If I allocate anything over 1.64 GB, I receive a runtime error of "bad alloc". What is using the 0.79 GB and how do I squeeze extra memory for my programme? I get a feeling the rabit hole goes alot deeper than merely looking at the two memory figures quoted above.
When allocating memory on the heap, there must be a contiguous free range of memory matching the size you requested. If there isn't, the operation fails.
In a 32-bit program in Windows, you have 2 GB of virtual memory to play with. Due to how Windows works, there are bits and pieces of stuff mapped into this virtual memory at different places, ie fragmentation.
This could easily explain why it fails.
But first, why do you need so much memory? Could you get by with less? If so, that would be ideal.
If not, then consider testing these things:
- Can you allocate several chunks of lesser size so that their total size exceeds 1.64 GB? Remember that you can only allocate 2 GB minus overhead for your application if it's 32 bits.
- Try compiling it as a 64-bit executable. That should give you more memory.