3 Different Places To Set AA?

When there are several places to set video settings such as AA, what program is the one that finally decides what that setting is?

NVIDIA Control Panel
RivaTuner
In Game Settings

When you force AA and other settings with the NVIDIA control panel, or even RivaTuner. Then, run a game, go into the games settings and change AA, it should not make any difference, but it does.

Is there a way to know exactly what is active when running games/programs?

Use the nvidia control panel and enhance in game settings then it will override ingame settings if it has aa and use whatever the control panel has.

Ok, so I assume the control panel has priority over RivaTuner?

Thanks