Parallel　genetic　algorithms　are　usually　implemented　on　parallel　machines　or　distributed　systems.　This　paper　describes　how　fine-grained　parallel　genetic　algorithms　can　be　mapped　to　programmable　graphics　hardware　found　in　commodity　PC.　Our　approach　stores　chromosomes　and　their　fitness　values　in　texture　memory　on　graphics　card.　Both　fitness　evaluation　and　genetic　operations　are　implemented　entirely　with　fragment　programs　executed　on　graphics　processing　unit　in　parallel.　We　demonstrate　the　effectiveness　of　our　approach　by　comparing　it　with　compatible　software　implementation.　The　presented　approach　allows　us　benefit　from　the　advantages　of　parallel　genetic　algorithms　on　low-cost　platform.　©　Springer-Verlag　Berlin　Heidelberg　2005.