What is an alternative way of Retrieving Table Row Count without using Count function?

select convert(bigint,rows)

from sysindexes

where id = object_id('Test1')

and indid < 2;



--OR-- 



select sum(row_count)

from sys.dm_db_partition_stats

WHERE object_id=OBJECT_ID('Test1')

AND (index_id = 0 or index_id = 1);