I think the main distinction is that modern clusters are shiny, sleek, fancy, and expensive. Whereas a Beowulf cluster is grungy, full of bailing twine, chewin

I think the main distinction is that modern clusters are shiny, sleek, fancy, and expensive. Whereas a Beowulf cluster is grungy, full of bailing twine, chewing gum, and possessing high levels of Bodge. And dirt cheap, built with what you can get, often used.