I think you've got to find what works for you best. I am lousy at pre-cutting all of the strips, and my blocks turn out wonky, even though I can piece a block and have it come out square. Go figure. I used Ellen Burn's book on log cabin quilts and learned to use strip piecing. It works like a charm for me.
Why don't you try each way of doing those log cabin blocks, and decide which works the best for you!!