We present a nexv top-down quadrisection-based global placer for standard-cell layout. The key contribution is a new general gain update scheme for partitioning that can exactly capture detailed placement objectives on a per-net basis. We use this gain update scheme, along with an efficient multilevel partitioner, as the basis for a new quadrisection-based placer called QUAD. Even though QUAD is a global placer, it can achieve significant improve ments in wirelength and congestion distribution over GORDIAN-L/DOMINO [SDJSI][DJS94](a leading quadratic placer with linear wirelength objective and detailed placement improvement). QUAD can be easily extended to capture various practical considerations; our timing-driven placement can obtain wirelength savings (as well as small cycle time improvements) versus the SPEED [RE95].