Which is better?

[The Illusion]

Would it be better to move everything to one place or better to have many different locations making the same thing? Notice that you need alot of different resources for both making buildings and crafting the next resource, so currently have a bunch of locations making various resources. But at my current point in the game, I see I need too many things that come from quite a distance away from each other, so thinking to just move all the resources to one spot...

[Dirtyshadow]

There is not an inclusive "better" or superior solution.

Transport logistics is part of the game, but it really depends on what your building and the volume of materials you want to produce.

Some people will run a few belts, some will build massive beltway
some build a couple of trains, some will build a map spanning train network. (and some won't touch trains ever)
Usually size of scale impacts choices. You can't build mega-factories without robust logistics.

Personally, the biggest factor that changed my gameplay from pre-release to 1.0 has been Dimensional Uploaders. I have built a fair few Dimensional Upload only factories in remote locations, that provide all the building materials I need. Then it comes down to building a big enough factory, in the right location to minimise transport/belts.

This allowed me to build smaller scale blueprinted factories across the map, that just dump straight into a storage container + dimensional uploader(s). And I can build heaps and never run out.

[Maehlice]

Yes. Definitely better.

[Kage Goomba]

Depends on your situation and what your doing.

Logistics involve time and planning - so you have to think in terms of expansion or future.

It's entirely up to you on what your going to do - and everyone is different in how they approach.

Some use only belts (and suffer for it end game wise if their factory is large - unless your system is high end) - others use Trains Trucks Drones (either/or/all).

This isn't something that everyone can agree on - only that its your save your choice.

[Nibbie]

My first playthrough I basically made a new factory for every elevator phase, connecting them with a belt or two when needed (and eventually other methods once unlocked). My friend made a single massive cube factory with a dozen trains bringing in resources from all over the map. Whichever one you feel better about doing is the correct one.

[HuskyDynamics]

In addition to the above, it also arguably depends on your computer specs, i.e. whether you can actually get a single megafactory built and retain a playable framerate while in it.

[BierPizzaChips]

Absolutely everything to one place makes no sense and is no fun neither.

Minimum Outsourcing is having Oil-Rigs for Energy next the oil sources and transport byproducts via drones to your base. Depending on the start region, it also may make sense having the Aluminium Factory placed closer to the required resources.
If you start in a low resource region like Grass Fields, it is helpful building a second main base for further proceedings in a different region and connect such with your starter base via train (as soon as you have programmable splitters). But if you start in a resource intense region like Dune Deserts, you may just build more floors on top of your buildings, no need for a second main base there.

Btw: Best fun for traveling to outsourced locations like e.g. oil-rigs are hyper-loop cannons.

[The Illusion]

Im starting in the first region. And I have a pretty high end PC, with a mid range GPU since I cant afford a high end one..

CPU: 9700X
GPU: 7600XT
RAM: 32GB DDR5 @ 6000 MHz
On an NVMe drive

[majinvegitto]

I find it easier to build smaller factories making each item. Unless it is part of a larger production line (like building a few more circuit boards along with the computer setup), I keep stuff separate. Makes it easier for me to keep track of all the inputs and outputs. Doing a large mega factory just seems like such a chore. Also once I unlock drones, I use those for pretty much everything. No need to run a massive train network or network of belts. Just have a bunch of drone ports bringing everything where it needs to go.

[Fenix]

It really Up to you.
I setup on the west coast, and have a train bringing in Quartz, Sulfur and SAM as the are the only things I don't have in No Man's Land. It's no mega base, but a large one stop shop for my build.

[cboath11]

I will agree with all the above comments in that the right answer is "yes". There isnt a "best" way as not everyone wants to approach the game the same way or build their factories the same way.

[nfgman]

Firm believer in developing local resources to highest potential.

[Shahadem]

Both.

Because recipies are not 1 to 1, it is more efficient to manufacture locally and then bus the finished or nearly finished product to a central location to throw into the space elevator.

But a megafactory does look cooler.

[junimai233]

Centralizing is fine but it really needed a solid planning if you want to do it all the way through the 13 steps of all the space elevator parts because most of the early machines is going to be at high double digit for one step by the end of it (3 digits for the smelters).

Also not to mention alternate recipes means you have to rebuilt the production line at fundamental level more often than not.

My advice is to just do the smelting on site (iron could be a problem early on but there's a alternate recipe for that), maybe the first tier too, but after that there's going to be a lot of resource mixing both the same tier and cross tier too. So plan accordingly for either a factory or transportation system.

[EnderYoshi]

You could start with mini factories and when time comes to mix resources, then you can run everything using either trains or drones into one larger central hub.

[Lodan]

I'm a Bad Player, I place Conveyor Bridges all over the place funneling everything back to my Starting Spaghetti Factory! Though sometimes I also place smelting/constructing near a Resource, and run the Product to base. The only exception I use for Transport is Drones, and only if it is small PMs that wouldn't be affected by the throughput and are easily stored.
(PM being Per Minute ratios)