Basic question: Is binutils required for bootstrap stage 1 C compiler build?

[Rick Mann]

In my efforts to build a "clean" dev environment targeting the  
PXA320, I've received very helpful instructions for building a stage  
1 C compiler, followed by building a targeted newlib, followed by a  
"full" C/C++ compiler.

However, in my stage 1 I've had some questions. Do I first build  
binutils targeting the desired processor, and then make sure those  
binutils are in the PATH before building the stage 1 C compiler?

TIA,
Rick