Is SQL faster than SE11?

Hi guys,

i have a problem on using se11. Since the data in my table is more than 1 millard, when I use se11 or se16 to check how many data there is, it takes so long. Will it be faster if I user SQL Statement with ABAP

like

select max ()

from ...

If not, how can I get the information (how many data there is and so on)as quickly as possible?

Thanks for any hint!

Regards,

Liying