From what I understand the brackets the C7 comes with are hard to install. Once installed the fins are facing the wrong way blowin hot air on th VRM's and ram.Thanks for the heads up - seems like the bracket isn't required, it just makes installation easier. Is that your view on it also?
That's what I've gotten from posts on reddit's sff and here.
You have to turn the cooler 90 degrees to get the air flow going properly. That bracket allows you to install the cooler by turning it 90degrees.
I don't know if that has been solved with the new C7 that are being sold now.