Is DD-WRT needed for a pfSense AP?

I'm starting my first pfSense build as a bit of a holiday project, and just wanted to grab a bit of advice from those who have already been there.

So I've just got an old PC with 2 gigabit NICs which will be the pfSense box and I'm planning to use a Linksys e4200v1 I just picked up cheaply secondhand for all connections, wireless and lan(if that's possible).

My main question is: Is it worth putting a custom firmware on the Linksys, like DD-WRT or tomato, etc?

I initially thought that I should, since it can't hurt, but then I heard there can be some stability issues with this router with DD-WRT(not sure about other firmwares).

 

So I'm just wondering what anyone else who's using a similar hardware configuration did?

Is there anything missing or running under the surface on the Linksys firmware that warrants a custom firmware when it's just being used as an access point and switch?

Have you found your custom firmware issue free?

What firmware do you recommend? 

 

My last question is: Can I use the Linksys router for all my lan connections, like a switch? Or should I just grab another $7 NIC and keep the e4200 for wireless?

You don't need to change the firmware, If all you want to do is use it as a switch and access point then you'll be fine

Thanks, so there's no real gains I would get that would make it necessary?

I know you can play with the signal power with DD-WRT, but other than if I wanted to boost that, there isn't much else worth mentioning for this particular application right?

With my pfsense box I have two lan interfaces, one for my lan and the other for a public wi-fi network. I installed openwrt on a router so i could use VLANs and have two wi-fi networks on the same radio. But if you just want it to work as a switch and access point then there's no need to install a custom firmware.