I've noticed that some filters change design or their visual-look is altered when the object is moved. Not all of the time.

So far the most noticeable are The 3d wood, and zebra effects behave this way.

Not sure if this would have been a beginner question or not.

Yes, filters are recalculated whenever a shape is modified. Grouped shapes are not recalculated when the parent group is changed, preserving their visual appearance. You can of course create a group with a single shape inside.