For people that want to be assured that they can get some productive work done without fighting the "bleeding edge", it's best to stay within the bounds of well used, mostly de-bugged, time tested software.
gcc 3.4.x and gdb 6.3.x get few complaints. They just work. I use them everyday on windows, linux, and mac.
That way, I can cuss at my own bugs and not someone elses.
Try 'em, you'll like 'em
Edit: I had to learn this the hard way.