Both types of response are correct - it depends on the systems installed in the aircraft.
If the aircraft has an EICAS system (in this case an 'altimeter comparator') which announces, visually or aurally (or both), that the two primary altimeters are out of tolerance, then it satisfies the requirement to cross check the altimeters in cruise in RVSM airspace, and there is no need for the pilots to do it every hour.
If the aircraft does not have an 'altimeter comparator' system, then the pilots are required to crosscheck the altimiters in cruise, and this is usually annotated in the Ops manual as 'once every hour...'