8 Speed specific crankset

[dracaena]

Is it true that you need to buy a 8 speed specific \ compatible  crankset if you run a 8 speed MTB?

I was also told that the Shimano Alivio is the top end of the 8 speed cranks.

 

I was sceptical about these statements, but don't know enough to argue.

 

Are either of these statements true?

[techguy]

No you can run pretty much any chainset on an 8 speed set up, the main difference is the 8 speed rings are very marginally thicker to run with the wider 8 speed chain, I have a set of XTR 8 speed shifters that I want to set up on a bike - I just need a fairly decent cassette...