The document discusses various CPU benchmarks used to evaluate performance, including their pros and cons. It notes that synthetic benchmarks like Dhrystone and Whetstone have limitations and are outdated. Better benchmarks measure real applications or standardized workloads like CoreMark, which aims to replace Dhrystone by testing common algorithms like linked lists and matrices. The document also cautions that benchmarks can be manipulated and advocates for transparency in benchmarking methodology and results.