Upgrading ram to 16 gb?

[jtpetch]

Hi, I've had 8 gb of ddr3 ram for a while, and now it just doesn't seem to be enough (heavy multitasking, heavy-ish gaming, rendering Blender and videos, etc). I find myself runnning up to 7.5-almost 8 gb of it, frequently. So, I'm planning on upgrading to 16 gb. I thought about only going to 12, but either one is within my budget, and I'd rather too much than too little.
This is my computer build; the ram is listed.
Now, I'm wondering, do I need to get EXACTLY the same set of ram that my first set was? And, when I get and install the ram, should it just be "plug n play" (Eg: Will I just be able to install it, put the pc back together, turn it on, and I'll instantly have 16 gb of working ram?) Or do I need to do anything after installing it?
Thanks!

 

[Tradesman1]

Any time you mix sets of DRAM it's a crapshoot, they might play, they might not - the best bet is to get a 16GB set (2x8GB) if the mobo supports it, then could try adding the existing 8 for a bonus, or use those in another rig, or sell them off to recoup some of you expenditure. If that's not an option, try for a matching set, or one a step up - say if you have 1600/9 try for an 1866/10 set and try them - if any problems give me a shout and we can try some minor voltage/timing adjustments, no guarantees, but have helped a few hundred folks here get mixed sets to play

 

[jtpetch]

Any time you mix sets of DRAM it's a crapshoot, they might play, they might not - the best bet is to get a 16GB set (2x8GB) if the mobo supports it, then could try adding the existing 8 for a bonus, or use those in another rig, or sell them off to recoup some of you expenditure. If that's not an option, try for a matching set, or one a step up - say if you have 1600/9 try for an 1866/10 set and try them - if any problems give me a shout and we can try some minor voltage/timing adjustments, no guarantees, but have helped a few hundred folks here get mixed sets to play

I can get another set of 8 gb (2x4gb) from NCIX US for about $70, which is within my budget of about $100. I see a lot of sets of 16 gb (2x8gb), all at varying prices, and all being shown as "compatible" according to PcPartpicker. Could you possibly suggest one to go with, or should I just go with the highest-reviewed set?
Also, my MOBO has 4 x 240-pin DIMM slots, and supports DDR3-1066 / 1333 / 1600 / 1866 / 2000

 

[Tradesman1]

With your rig I'd look to 1866/9 GSkill Snipers in 2x8GB - 2nd choice would be the Ripjaws X in the same 2x8GB

 

[jtpetch]

Sorry about waiting this long to reply, I had some things going on. Anywho, that looks like a good set, and I think I'll get it. Question, though, would I just be able to install those two sticks (the first, GSkill set) alongside the 2x4gb sticks I already have, which would bring me up to 24 gb?

 

[Tradesman1]

Whichever you get, put them in first and ensure all is stable - then can try adding the old - if any problems, give me a shout and we can try some voltage or timing adjustments to get them to play

 

[jtpetch]

Alright, thanks!