In general, the landing gear should be down before intercepting the glideslope (crossing the outer marker, if in a constant descent from a long ways out), followed shortly by landing flaps. That means 170 or less at the outer marker (5-7 miles from the runway) for flaps 30 in the 744. In the 744, the longest wait is the transition from flaps 1 to flaps 5, so enough time must be given for that transition.
Without rushing things, about 10 miles before the outer marker would be the time to slow dow down and configure. Yes, it CAN be done more quickly, but the rush may induce errors.