SSD are fine for booting, but they don't like a lot of reading and re-writing. Example, never allow OS or Apps to use them for temp files or swap files.

As for external drives. When they are FULL size drives, they are mostly OK. The main issue is with those notebook sized drives plugged in USB without power. They don't like to be thrown around.

For the rest? A good CPU with at least 8 cores, and a solid well known Nvideo card like the 1080. It is better and safer to install two 1080's then to go for the newest cards that are not supported yet.

Time frame?

Well, we have to look inside and be honest. Poser (like some other apps) does NOT support the new cards yet.

Poser just being sold the here ( Renderosity) will not be upgraded in a short time. First they need to transfer all licences, (or re-licence or recode) then bring out a license upgraded Poser (Pro) 11 version, before they can start building on P12.

We also know that 3 different teams have tried to fix some of the deepest Poser bugs (all pulling hairs and biting nails) on them, so there is some deep-digging work to be done before implementing new features.

Honestly, don't expect too much enhancements for the first 2 years or so. (Except for the license update version)

A good 8 core, with 16-32 RAM, and a couple of 1080 get you covered for at least 5 years in my humble opinion.