Try Rpi once again with external ssd[1], preferably with external power source like psu[2]. Rpi has huge community which will help you if you ever need solution for bespoke config

[1]https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2020/im-booting-my-raspber... [2]https://superuser.com/questions/1239449/using-a-separate-pow...